Hoima regional referral hospital ready for moden ICU

3 January 2025, 9:42 pm

By Byamukama Alozious

Hoima regional referral hospital has taken a significant leap forward in healthcare with the addition of a modern Intensive Care Unit (ICU). According to Acting Director Dr. Ibrahim Bwaga, a trained obstetrician, the hospital serves a vast population of approximately 3.5 million people across eight districts that make up Bunyoro region, including Kakumiro, Kagadi, and Kikube. The hospital’s bed capacity currently stands at 267.

Dr. Bwaga emphasised the uniqueness of the region, citing its hilly terrain and refugee populations, including Kyangwari Refugee Settlement and Panyadoli Refugee Settlement. He noted that many districts in the region lack comprehensive emergency obstetric care, making Hoima Regional Referral Hospital a vital lifeline.

The new ICU, constructed under the Uganda Covid-19 Response and Emergency Preparedness Project (UCREPP), is expected to greatly improve healthcare services in the region. Dr. Bwaga expressed gratitude for the government’s support, stating that the hospital can now offer services that were previously unavailable, including dialysis.

Other notable upgrades at the hospital include a newly installed oxygen plant, capable of producing over 100 cylinders of oxygen per day, and a blood bank for the region. The hospital also offers health promotion, prevention, diagnostic, curative, rehabilitation, and palliative care services.

According to Doreen Nshabohurira, Communications Officer for UCREPP, the ICU construction cost over 8 billion shillings. However, she noted that there will be additional costs when the equipments are fixed. Karim Abduli, Contractor of the ICU from Excel Company Limited, stated that the facility includes 20 rooms, isolation facilities for infectious disease management, oxygen plants, waiting rooms, power rooms, pharmacies, surgery rooms, boardrooms, counseling rooms, and theaters among others. The equipments installation is expected within 5 months and then handed over the population

Dr. Bwaga highlighted the urgent need for the ICU, citing statistics that show 10-15 children born in Hoima are premature and require ICU care every week. Additionally, 5-10 mothers and 5-10 patients requiring surgery also need ICU care every week.

“The ICU, once commissioned, will provide critical care to mothers, premature babies, and accident victims. With a team of professionals trained abroad, the hospital is poised to make a significant impact on healthcare in the region” Dr. Bwaga acknowledged