Aga Khan’s new hospital to reduce Ugandans’ medical tourism

On April 27, 2024 Aga Khan University hospital’s specialized outpatient facility opened in Nakawa, quickly attracting patients from across Uganda seeking advanced medical care.

Diana Namubiru, senior manager of Country Operations and Business Development, noted the facility’s growing popularity in an exclusive interview with The Observer.

Namubiru explained that “as soon as the hospital commenced its operations, many people started coming in from all over the country to access the specialized services that the outpatient facility offers.”

This surge in patients underscores a significant development in Uganda’s healthcare sector. Previously, many Ugandans have traveled abroad for specialized medical care due to the lack of sufficient expertise within the country. Statistics from 2021 reveal that over 10,000 Ugandans have sought medical treatment in countries like Kenya, India, Italy, and the United States for comprehensive care.

During the interview, Namubiru highlighted the large number of patients arriving with extensive medical records, reflecting their desperation for high-quality care.

“We really see people coming here with very massive files all the way from regions in the country like Western Uganda and Northern Uganda. We have also seen more of those here in Kampala, especially those who have been going abroad to countries like India to access services that we now offer here,” she said.

Some patients are even seeking complex procedures such as bone marrow trans- plants, believing the facility provides these advanced treatments. Namubiru also emphasized that the medical team at the Nakawa facility has received extensive training from Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi, enhancing their ability to manage complex medical cases effectively.

“So, instead of traveling outside Uganda for outpatient services, patients are now able to receive the same care locally at our university hospital,” Namubiru stated.

She noted that the hospital’s dialysis units were operating at 50% capacity even before the second month of operation, indicating a high demand. Additionally, the chemotherapy unit has been busy with numerous patient bookings for cancer treatment.

The hospital offers a wide range of specialized services, including ultrasound, ultrasonography, X-rays, CT scans, mammography, pediatrics, gynecology, cardiopulmonary care, echo-cardiography, endoscopy, otolaryngology, general surgery, orthopedic surgery, chemotherapy, dialysis, nerve conduction studies, and orthopantomography— a panoramic dental X-ray that provides a view of the upper and lower teeth, jaws, and surrounding structures.

Namubiru emphasized the hospital’s commitment to quality.

“We ensure that we offer quality services to our patients, and quality is one area that we know for a fact most people don’t pay attention to. We conduct external quality controls with our samples; so, by the time we give you a test result, we are confident that it accurately reflects your diagnosis, minimizing the chance for errors.”

Despite the hospital’s recent opening, it has already had a significant impact, restoring hope for many patients who can now receive treatment locally rather than traveling abroad.

FUTURE PLANS

Regarding future plans, Diana Namubiru, shared that Aga Khan University Hospital will construct a new inpatient hospital in phases with the construction works for the first 100-bed phase expected to launch next year.

This new hospital is expected to be completed within two to three years and will offer a broader range of services not currently available at the out-patient facility.

Namubiru also emphasized that the new hospital will address some of the challenges faced by the current specialized facility, such as the shortage of experienced staff needed to operate complex medical equipment. The expansion aims to enhance the hospital’s ability to provide comprehensive and advanced medical care.