The government has officially commissioned the construction of a modern 250-bed heart hospital, a project that experts say will significantly reduce the number of Ugandan heart patients seeking treatment abroad.
The Uganda Heart Institute Hospital (UHI) will be built on a 10-acre piece of land in Naguru, Kampala, marking a major step toward advancing cardiovascular healthcare in the country.
The hospital complex will consist of three blocks, housing three operating theatres, two cardiac catheterization labs, and 40 Cardiac Intensive Care Units beds.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony held on Tuesday in Naguru, Kampala, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who served as the Guest of Honour, emphasized the importance of completing the project on time and within budget. She urged all stakeholders to ensure its smooth execution.
The Ministry of Health’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine, revealed that the contract for the project, worth Shs255 billion, has been awarded to Arab Contractors. The hospital is expected to be completed within two years.
Dr. James Magala, Chairman of the UHI Board, explained the urgency of the project, citing the growing burden of heart disease in Uganda and the region. He noted that the institute has long struggled to operate within Mulago National Specialized Hospital, facing constraints that have limited its ability to cater to the increasing number of heart patients.
“The Institute has operated with constraints at Mulago, limiting its capacity to meet the growing patient load,” Dr. Magala stated. “The rising burden of cardiovascular diseases necessitated the establishment of a world-class cardiovascular hospital.”
Once completed, the new heart hospital will not only provide affordable and accessible cardiovascular care but also serve as a center for specialized training, research, and early prevention of heart diseases.
The facility is also expected to reduce the need for referrals abroad and position Uganda as a hub for medical tourism in the region.
For years, the Uganda Heart Institute has struggled with limited space and resources, leading to long patient wait times and costly overseas referrals. With the upcoming modern facility, the future of cardiac care in Uganda looks brighter.
