Mulago specialised women hospital operating under 50% staffing

The committee, which was on an oversight visit to the hospital on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, pledged to engage the finance ministry to allocate funds for the hospital to recruit have at least 80 percent.

"We are only allowed to employ drivers and administrators who fall under U8 and contract staff. The much-needed specialists like anaesthetists and radiologists are employed by the Health Service Commission," said the hospital’s Ag. Deputy Director, Dr. Jolly Natukunda.

She informed the legislators that they are challenged by a limited budget, which impacts their staffing levels, training, research, accommodations, and, by extension, customer service.

Dr. Natukunda called Government to permit the hospital to retain some of the money collected as non-tax revenue (NTR) remitted to the Consolidated Fund to better their welfare.

In the last financial year, the hospital collected over sh7 billion in NTR.

During the guided tour, hospital clients informed the committee members of the long waiting times before they were worked on.

"It is past midday now, and yet I came in at 7 a.m., but we have not yet seen a doctor," nurse told the legislators.

"Despite the fact that people are paying for services, the waiting time is too long compared to other private health providers of the same services," said Dr. Charles Ayume, the committee chairperson.

These limitations have affected the image of the hospital, leading to negative publicity and low public awareness of the services provided.

The hospital, opened in July 2018, provides highly specialised reproductive and neonatal services that have reduced referrals outside Uganda.