Uganda Upgrades Health Centers in Major Healthcare Reform Initiative
The government plans to construct an additional 31 health center IIIs and estimates that 4 billion shillings ($1.1 million) will be needed to cover the remaining 488 sub-counties.
KAMPALA, Uganda— The Ugandan government has announced a significant reform in its health sector, aiming to upgrade health center IVs to community hospitals. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja revealed the plan during a plenary sitting of parliament on Thursday, writes Winston Mwale.
The reform, based on the Ministry of Health's Draft National Health Policy 2024, will increase the capacity of these facilities from 24 beds to 60 beds.
Nabbanja said the upgrades will be implemented in phases, prioritizing areas with high population density and 135 constituencies currently lacking health center IVs.
This move comes in response to a presidential directive to construct a hospital in each district. Nabbanja explained that upgrading existing facilities to community hospitals would be more cost-effective than building new general hospitals.
The estimated cost for constructing and equipping a community hospital is 12 billion Ugandan shillings ($3.3 million), compared to 70 billion shillings ($19.2 million) for a general hospital.
The prime minister also highlighted the difference in annual operating costs, with community hospitals requiring 4 billion shillings ($1.1 million) compared to 12.238 billion shillings ($3.4 million) for general hospitals.
Nabbanja reported progress in healthcare infrastructure development, stating that 381 health center IIs have been upgraded to health center III status since the 2018/2019 financial year.
Currently, 87% of sub-counties and town councils have a functional health center III.
The government plans to construct an additional 31 health center IIIs and estimates that 4 billion shillings ($1.1 million) will be needed to cover the remaining 488 sub-counties.
This healthcare reform represents a significant step in Uganda's efforts to improve medical access and services across the country, particularly in underserved areas.