The Parliamentary Committee on Government Assurance has called on the Ministry of Finance to urgently prioritize and release Shs 8.7 billion to construct suitable infrastructure for housing CT scan machines in all regional referral hospitals.
The directive was issued by Committee Chairperson Dr. Abed Bwanika during a report presentation to Parliament on the status of government assurances related to upgrading, constructing, and equipping health facilities across local governments.
The report also covered the installation of CT scan and ICU equipment in regional referral hospitals.
The committee found that several regional referral hospitals currently lack proper infrastructure to accommodate newly installed CT scan machines, putting the sensitive equipment at risk of damage and shortening their lifespan.
Dr. Bwanika also raised concerns over inconsistent user fees for CT scan services across hospitals.
Differing interpretations of the fee guidelines have led to disparities, with some facilities charging significantly more, limiting access for low-income patients.
The report further highlighted a serious staffing shortage in nearly all regional referral hospitals, impacting the quality of healthcare delivery.
In response, Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng requested increased funding to address these challenges.
By Francis Lubega
8th Aug 2025
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