The Ministry of Health has announced plans to upgrade Kyambogo University sickbay to a fully-fledged hospital.
Dr Diana Atwine, the ministry’s permanent secretary, during the tour of the facility on Saturday said they are consulting the ministry of Education and Kampala Capital City Authority with a view of decongesting Naguru and Kiruddu hospitals.
Dr Atwine said the two government facilities are overwhelmed by the patients’ turnout from the areas of Kireka, Banda, Bweyogerere and Kyambogo.
“With a population of 50,000, this is almost the size of a district hospital. We need a fully-fledged reproductive health department here to help the young population,” she said.
“We shall speak to ministry of Education so that we are not accused of grabbing property because we serve one government,” she said.
Speaking at the launch of a drive to start nationwide screening and treatment of diabetes, cancer and high blood pressure on Saturday at Kyambogo University, Ms Mildred Tibananuka, the dean of students, informed the permanent secretary about absence of reproductive health services at the university.
She said the students are youth between the age 19 to 25 who need specialised services.
Dr Atwine said they can upgrade the sickbay if the Ministry of Education provides the land. The Health ministry can then devote resources to the facility so that patients do not travel long distances.
On Saturday, Sanctuary Medical Foundation together with the Ministry of Health, kick-started the campaign to screen and treat diabetes and high blood pressure countrywide cheaply.
Dr Patrick Kaliika, the chief executive officer of Sanctuary Medical Foundation, said they attracted 2,000 patients and of those, 600 of them were found to be hypertensive.
He said those they find sick will be enrolled into a data base where they will be given access to free consultations with selected doctors across the country as well as easy delivery of drugs.
Additional reporting by Daily Monitor
