The Executive Director of Naguru Hospital, Dr. Emmanuel Tugaineyo, has revealed that in the near future, the hospital is to be upgraded to a national referral trauma center that will provide specialized treatment for people with severe physical injuries resulting from trauma, such as car accidents, falls, or acts of violence.

According to Dr. Tugaineyo, the facility will offer comprehensive care from a team of specialized doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals.

During an interview with Dr. Tugaineyo, he noted that with the increasing incidence of accidents and emergencies in Uganda, the upgrade is set to bring about a significant transformation in the hospital’s capabilities and services, so as to ensure that, it becomes a beacon of hope for those in need of specialized trauma care.

He revealed this while responding to several claims that Naguru hospital is soon shutting its doors for a year.

The Director said that, the hospital will remain open throughout the renovation period, and no patient will be turned away.

He added that the hospital will continue to provide quality healthcare to the people of Kampala during this time.

“Such reports are alarmist and should be disregarded, and some of the figures reported are inaccurate. I talked to New Vision, which is the national paper, but they chose to write the wrong things. I don’t know where they got them from,” the hospital’s Executive Director said.

He added that however, plans to renovate and expand the hospital are still in dialogs, but haven’t yet been approved or commenced.

“A technical team including the Chinese and officials from the Ministry of Health came and did a feasibility study to assess the Hospital’s situation, and as you know, this is a process. It is not like the hospital will close next week or next month,” Dr. Tugaineyo said.

The ED added that after completion, state-of-the art hospital will majorly handle traumatic cases countrywide but will tone down on usual medicinal operations. Only minimal staff will be maintained to handle emergencies.

According to the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, Boda-Bodas have had the most accidents, registering over 200 cases and over 50 deaths in just one week. Among these, 99 riders and 47 passengers have suffered severe traumatic injuries.

Naguru General Hospital, also known as China-Uganda Friendship Hospital Naguru was built by the government of China as a gift to the Government of Uganda, and KCCA donated the 5-acre site where the hospital was built.