NAMIREMBE – Medical Directors of Church of Uganda-founded hospitals have raised alarm over the growing medical legal challenges that threaten the economic sustainability of their institutions.
During a meeting held on Tuesday at the Provincial Secretariat in Namirembe, the Medical Directors shared concerns about the increasing number of patients turning to litigation, often in cases lacking substantial merit. They revealed that hospitals have been forced to divert significant resources to legal battles, funds that would otherwise have been invested in specialized health services.
They also highlighted other challenges, such as governance issues linked to local political interference and complexities arising from the composition of hospital boards.
Additionally, the Medical Directors raised the issue of land grabbing, which has posed significant risks to the stability of Church-founded health facilities. However, they commended the ongoing efforts by the Church of Uganda to resolve these land challenges. They noted that the Church, with support from the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, has embarked on a mass registration campaign to secure its land across the province, ensuring long-term stability for its institutions.
They celebrated remarkable achievements made possible through the support of the Church and its partners among which included the establishment of a three-bed dialysis unit at Rugarama Hospital, digitization of services in several health facilities, and the development of strategic plans by various hospitals to enhance service delivery.
They also reported notable progress in treating specialized diseases, providing subsidized medical services to patients, organizing medical camps, fostering research collaborations, building local research capacity, and establishing a Good Samaritan Fund to support the most vulnerable patients. Several hospitals have also gained international recognition for their contributions to healthcare.
In his address, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, called on the Medical Directors to prioritize mental health services in their facilities. He noted the growing mental health crisis in Uganda, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and emphasized the Church’s role in offering holistic care.
The Archbishop described healthcare as a divine calling and emphasized the importance of nurturing the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. He highlighted the Church’s historic role in providing quality healthcare to underserved populations and reiterated its mission to ensure equitable access to healthcare services, particularly in rural communities.
Archbishop Kaziimba also urged the Medical Directors to maintain professionalism and ethical standards, showing compassion and dignity in their care for patients.
“Your work is not just a profession; it is a ministry that reflects the values of the Church. Uphold high standards of integrity and ensure that every interaction with patients demonstrates the love and compassion of Christ,” Archbishop Kaziimba said.
Rev. Canon William Ongeng, the Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda, encouraged the Medical Directors to imitate God’s goodness by doing good in their ministry. He emphasized the significance of their role as medical practitioners, reminding them that their work is central to God’s mission of healing and restoration.
Canon Ongeng noted that Church of Uganda’s Directorate of Health Services encompasses public health programs such as health education, HIV/AIDS management, malaria prevention, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and sexual and reproductive health. Other areas of focus include inspection and quality assurance in health facilities, medical logistics, health system strengthening, clinical services, and health research and documentation.
According to Canon Ongeng, the Church of Uganda currently oversees 256 health facilities across the country, including Sir Albert Cook Hospital in Mengo—the first hospital ever established in Uganda. These facilities comprise 15 hospitals, 6 Health Centre IVs, 119 Health Centre IIIs, and 114 Health Centre IIs, strategically distributed across various regions. Additionally, the Church supports 33 community-based HIV/AIDS and health initiatives operating within its 39 dioceses.
Dr. Tonny Tumwesigye, the Executive Director of the Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau (UPMB), which oversees these facilities on behalf of the Church of Uganda, called on the medical directors to embrace collaboration by actively sharing both successes and challenges in their respective areas of operation.
He emphasized the transformative power of networking, noting that when healthcare leaders work together, they can pool resources, exchange ideas, and implement innovative solutions to common challenges.
“Networking allows us to learn from each other, replicate best practices, and find collective solutions to the issues we face. Together, we can amplify our impact and ensure that our facilities remain beacons of hope and healing in the communities we serve,” Dr. Tumwesigye said.
Rev. Dr. Berry White, the Board Chair of the Provincial Board of Health, urged the Medical Directors to be exemplary stewards of the reso”rces entrusted to them, emphasizing the need for integrity, transparency, and accountability in their operations.
She called on them to prioritize clearing all current hospital debts, cautioning against the practice of leaving financial burdens for their successors.
“Good stewardship requires us to manage resources wisely and ensure financial sustainability for the future. Clearing existing debts is not just a financial obligation; it is a moral responsibility to protect the legacy of our hospitals and uphold the trust placed in us by the Church and the communities we serve,” Dr. White emphasized.
