By John Okello Lapok
Expectations are high among residents of Katakwi district following the pre-launch of the rehabilitation and expansion of Katakwi General Hospital in Eastern Uganda.
The colourful ceremony was presided over by the Vice President Jessica Alupo and H.E. Amokrane Mourad, Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to Uganda, witnessed by local government leaders, hospital administration, Regional security chiefs, Ministry of Health and Finance officials.
The ceremony follows the signing of a $13.7m (about Sh50b) Grant cooperation agreement between the government of Uganda and government of Algeria to expand and rehabilitate the Hospital.
Katakwi General Hospital was established as a dispensary in the 1956 during the colonial administration, then elevated to HC IV by the NRM government and consequently to a District Hospital in 2011 but there had been no commensurate improvement in its infrastructure to match a hospital status.
The work yet to commence comprises; the construction of an Outpatient Department complete with an Emergency Unit and Operating Theatre, Radiology Department (X-ray and Scanning), state of art Intensive Care Unit which is the first of its kind in Eastern and Northern Uganda.
Other facilities include; state of art Mortuary, 12 modern storied staff houses, Medical Waste Management facility, Incinerator, Renovation of the Maternity ward, Children’s ward, Male ward, and female ward, and General Ward.
The agreement also takes care of the construction of attendants kitchen, attendants Laundry, Placenta pit, Landscaping and beautification of the Hospital among other components.
Speaking during the ceremony, VP Alupo said this is not only a health Investment but also a social economic catalyst which aims at strengthening health care delivery in the country.
“This investment will uplift rural communities by stimulating local economies through job creation, demand for goods and services thereby contributing to regional growth and equity,” Alupo said.
She expressed profound appreciation to the Government, the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Algeria for this landmark cooperation agreement.
“Today marks yet another milestone in the ever-growing friendship and solidarity between our two nations. We are especially grateful that the first project under this framework is the expansion and rehabilitation of Katakwi General Hospital,” she said.
The Vice President emphasized that when completed, the project will significantly transform health care delivery for Katakwi and the neighboring districts benefiting over half a million people, not only for today, but for generations to come.
She also highlighted that the Hospital Project will bring immense advantages to the people of Katakwi district and Eastern Uganda in terms of improving access to Specialized Care which reduces delays in treatment, particularly in emergencies, and improves survival and recovery rates.
Alupo further appealed to the government of Algeria to also consider supporting the second phase of this project particularly the construction of additional modern wards, the provision of advanced medical equipment, and the training of health workers.
She said the move will ensure that the skills of our Ugandan professionals match the new infrastructure, thus guaranteeing the highest standards of care for the people.
“We look forward to continuing this journey of cooperation, guided by the shared values of friendship, solidarity, and mutual development,” Alupo said.
The VP, also Katakwi district woman representative, reported the significant growth in trade between the two countries saying Uganda’s coffee and milk exports to Algeria have risen.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Mourad lauded the people of Katakwi for the warm reception and hospitality of the Ugandan people. He told residents of Katakwi that the idea to rehabilitate and expand Katakwi hospital was first mooted by the vice president.
“This project is coming from H.E the Vice President. It has been on since 2022 when the World had just come out of COVID-19. Having witnessed the adverse effects of this epidemic on the populace, we all realized the importance of the health sector. So it is against that background that the VP Alupo asked for support from the Algerian people to rehabilitate and expand Katakwi hospital into a modern health facility,” ambassador Mourad said.
He stressed that since then, both Uganda has been cooperating with the Algerian government to ensure the successful implementation of the project. He lauded Uganda’s diplomatic relations with Algeria saying the cooperation will continue to flourish.
Dr. Ichumar Simon Omeke, the District Health Officer noted that with this expansion and rehabilitation the communities of Katakwi and the neighboring districts will benefit immensity in terms of reduced financial and social burden by minimizing long distance travel and associated expenses of accommodation, food, and transport for families.
“The project will decongest Regional Referral Hospitals hence allowing national hospitals to concentrate on patients requiring highly complex and super-specialized procedures,” he said.
He further noted that rehabilitation of Katakwi hospital will strengthen the health system and human resource development through training and mentorship hub for medical interns, nurses, and other health professionals.
Omeke said the construction will enhance emergency and Critical Care Services, cause economic and social Impact as the hospital is anticipated to stimulates local economies through job creation, demand for goods and services, and infrastructure development, thereby contributing to regional growth and equity.
He emphasized that the rehabilitation will further promote equity in healthcare delivery by bringing specialized services closer to rural populations narrowing the urban–rural health gap and ensure fairness in healthcare access for all citizens.
RDC Stephen Ilemukorit Okure welcomed the initiative, noting it will reduce the need for medical tourism, as residents often travel to Matany Hospital in Karamoja and Soroti regional Referral Hospital.
The District chairperson Geoffrey Omolo praised the vice president for acting as a key link with the Algerian government, whose generosity will benefit the people of Katakwi and Uganda at large.
