The Parliament Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation is currently investigating the dismantling of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital.
Under the leadership of Hon. Abed Bwanika, the committee is focusing on government commitments in the health sector and developments in new cities and districts.
In 2019, Parliament approved a loan request allowing the Government to borrow about Shs200 billion from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group for the Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) Programme.
This funding was intended for upgrading health center II’s to health center III’s in sub-counties without government-owned health center III facilities.
In 2021, Parliament approved a further loan request of Shs352.2 billion from the IDA to complete the upgrades, construct and equip new health center III’s, and hire staff for all the upgraded health center II’s, among other purposes. Additionally, the Government procured ICUs for all regional referral hospitals.
During their visit to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital on Friday, 29 June 2024, the committee found that only four out of 10 received ICU beds were operational. Vital components like monitors, ventilators, and ICU beds had been moved to other areas of the hospital, affecting the functionality of the ICU. Two ICU beds were also not in service.
Hon. Joyce Bagala, the committee’s deputy chairperson, raised concerns about the incomplete ICU units and highlighted discrepancies in the equipment provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Government.
AUDIO: Hon. Joyce Bagala and Hon. Abed Bwanika
Hon. Bwanika demanded explanations from the hospital administration regarding the handling of the ICU components and the reasons behind their dismantling.
Reports suggested that senior hospital management had redistributed some ICU components to different wards after the peak of COVID-19, resulting in key components being missing from the ICUs.
The hospital’s storekeeper, Robert Vupale, was taken to the police station for questioning about the dismantling of the ICU and the missing equipment.
Hon. Robert Ssekitoleeko (NUP, Bamunanika County, Luweero) proposed holding the entire hospital administration accountable for the deterioration of the ICU.
After discussions, the committee decided that the hospital’s Director, Dr. Peter Mukobi, who was away on official duties in Kampala, should report to Gulu Central Police Station and provide a statement regarding the situation for further investigation.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.