Luwero Hospital is set to reopen its private wing, five years after it was suspended by the district public hospital, had increasingly prioritized paying patients, leaving those unable to afford private care struggling to access essential services.
It was also alleged that many health workers had shifted their focus to the private wing, where they earned additional income, neglecting patients in the general wards. However, Luwero District Chairperson Erastus Kibirango and District Health Officer Dr Innocent Nkonwa have confirmed that the council has now approved the re-opening of the private wing.
The leaders say the move is aimed at improving service delivery, expanding access to specialized healthcare, and reducing congestion in the general wards. The private wing is also expected to offer more structured and affordable paid services within the hospital.
Kibirango attributed the earlier challenges to inadequate infrastructure, noting that the private and public sections were previously too close to each other, causing confusion among patients about the services available.
He explained that with the construction of a new patient block, the hospital will now clearly separate and label the private and public wings to ensure better organization and transparency.
Additionally, the district has earmarked 190 million Shillings in the 2026/27 financial year to procure medical equipment and drugs to operationalize the private wing. Dr Nkonwa noted that the initial suspension was partly due to policy gaps in the management of private wings.
He added that the Ministry of Health has since streamlined guidelines to ensure proper regulation. He added that the private wing is expected to officially reopen in January 2027 after renovations and equipping of the facility are completed.
Dr Bruno Oyik, the Medical Superintendent of Luwero Hospital, said the private wing will play a key role in generating additional revenue to address persistent funding gaps at the facility.
Luwero Hospital handles an estimated 50,000 patients annually but operates on a budget of about Shs430 million, which officials say is insufficient to meet its growing demands. The hospital continues to struggle with challenges such as frequent power outages, drug stock-outs, and water shortages.
Officials are optimistic that the reintroduction of the private wing will strengthen the hospital’s financial base, improve service delivery, and enhance overall patient care. URN