Jinja Regional Referral Hospital is set to establish a modern medical imaging and diagnostic centre in a bid to improve healthcare services and curb the overwhelming number of patient referrals to Mulago National Referral Hospital.
The initiative was announced by Dr Gerald Mutungi, the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) at the Ministry of Health. The project is a collaborative effort between the Health Ministry and the Smart African Village Development Consortium (SADO).
According to Dr Mutungi, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, has been one of the key pillars driving the establishment of the imaging centre in the region.
The diagnostic centre will be equipped with advanced medical technology, including:
A standard 64-slice CT scan machine from Germany
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner
Advanced X-ray equipment
Modern laboratory diagnostic tools
“These facilities will support doctors and medical consultants in making accurate diagnoses and prescribing effective treatment for patients without guesswork,” Dr Mutungi said.
He added that the Ministry of Health, SADO, the Jinja hospital management, Jinja City Council, and the Office of the President have already secured space within the hospital premises for immediate construction.
Dr Mutungi expressed grave concern over the growing burden of NCDs, describing them as “silent killers” affecting children, youths, and adults across the Busoga sub-region.
“There is a significant increase in non-communicable diseases in Busoga communities due to poor nutrition, excessive alcohol consumption, substance abuse, lack of physical exercise, and limited awareness about regular medical check-ups,” he said, noting that many patients only seek help when conditions are severe after self-medicating.
Dr Alfred Yayi, the Senior Executive Consultant at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, revealed that the development coincides with the approval of the hospital’s new master plan designed to align the facility with modern healthcare technologies.
Dr Yayi explained that much of the hospital’s existing infrastructure was constructed in the 1950s and can no longer support the installation of sophisticated modern medical systems.
He added that while the hospital boasts qualified consultant medical doctors across all departments, the lack of advanced diagnostic equipment has historically hindered specialized services, forcing them to refer patients to Mulago.
Dr Nelson Muzira, the Executive Director of SADO, stated that the broader project aims to transform healthcare delivery by providing accessible and affordable imaging services across five hospitals and 76 health centres in the East and Central sub-regions.
Welcoming the initiative, Jinja City Health Officer Dr Fredrick Isabirye noted that the centre would save countless lives.
“Many non-communicable diseases present symptoms similar to other illnesses, making them difficult to diagnose without advanced laboratory and diagnostic equipment. This centre will greatly improve early detection and treatment,” Dr Isabirye said.