Jinja Regional Referral Hospital is set to establish a modern medical imaging and diagnostic centre aimed at enhancing healthcare services and reducing the growing number of patient referrals to Mulago National Referral Hospital.
The initiative was announced by Dr Gerald Mutungi, Assistant Commissioner for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) at the Ministry of Health. The project is a partnership between the Ministry of Health and the Smart African Village Development Consortium (SADO).
Dr Mutungi highlighted the significant role played by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, in championing the establishment of the diagnostic centre in the region.
The facility will be equipped with advanced medical technology, including a standard 64-slice CT scan machine from Germany, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner, advanced X-ray equipment, and modern laboratory diagnostic tools.
โThese facilities will enable doctors and medical consultants to make accurate diagnoses and prescribe effective treatment without relying on guesswork,โ Dr Mutungi said.
He noted that the Ministry of Health, SADO, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital management, Jinja City Council, and the Office of the President have already secured space within the hospital premises, paving the way for immediate construction.
Dr Mutungi also expressed concern over the rising burden of non-communicable diseases across the Busoga sub-region, describing them as โsilent killersโ affecting people of all ages.
According to him, the increasing prevalence of NCDs is linked to poor nutrition, excessive alcohol consumption, substance abuse, inadequate physical activity, and limited awareness about routine medical check-ups. He added that many patients seek medical attention only when their conditions have become severe, often after self-medication.
Meanwhile, Dr Alfred Yayi, Senior Executive Consultant at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, revealed that the project coincides with the approval of the hospitalโs new master plan, which is designed to align the facility with modern healthcare technologies.
Dr Yayi explained that much of the hospitalโs infrastructure dates back to the 1950s and is no longer suitable for the installation of sophisticated medical equipment. Although the hospital has qualified consultant doctors across all departments, the absence of advanced diagnostic tools has limited specialized healthcare services, forcing many patients to be referred to Mulago National Referral Hospital.
Dr Nelson Muzira, Executive Director of SADO, said the broader initiative seeks to transform healthcare delivery by providing accessible and affordable imaging services to five hospitals and 76 health centres across the Eastern and Central regions.
Jinja City Health Officer, Dr Fredrick Isabirye, welcomed the development, saying the centre would play a critical role in saving lives.
โMany non-communicable diseases share symptoms with other illnesses, making accurate diagnosis difficult without advanced laboratory and diagnostic equipment. This centre will significantly improve early detection and treatment,โ Dr Isabirye said.
Once completed, the modern imaging and diagnostic centre is expected to strengthen healthcare services in Busoga and surrounding regions, improve disease detection, enhance treatment outcomes, and reduce the burden on Ugandaโs national referral facilities.
