Uganda Heart Institute Board Inaugurated with Strong Warning Against Patient Diversion

The Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) has welcomed its new Board of Directors, marking a new chapter for the nation’s leading cardiac care center. During the inauguration ceremony, the Minister of State for Health (General Duties), Anifa Kawooya, implored the board members to foster collaboration with the institute’s management to build upon existing successes.

Minister Kawooya emphasized the importance of teamwork, transparency, and accountability, urging the new board to diligently address any internal disagreements that could jeopardize the institute’s mission. She stressed that consensus-driven decisions made within the boardroom are crucial for the betterment of public health services.

The minister reiterated that the UHI should remain the primary hub for specialized cardiac treatments in Uganda, with regional referral hospitals handling less critical cases to ensure wider access for patients. A significant concern raised was the reported practice of diverting patients from public hospitals to private facilities, a move that erodes public trust and can delay essential treatment.

“We need commitment to ensure patients receive services where they are supposed to be treated,” Kawooya stated, highlighting instances where patients are supposedly directed to follow doctors to their private practices. She further warned against the dangerous practice of allowing patients’ conditions to deteriorate in private facilities before being transferred back to public hospitals.

The Ministry of Health affirmed its dedication to supporting UHI’s ongoing projects, expanding specialized cardiac services to regional hospitals, and reinforcing preventative programs for non-communicable diseases. The government also pledged continued investment to enhance local capacity for managing complex heart conditions, aiming to reduce overseas referrals and establish Uganda as a regional leader in advanced cardiac care.

Finally, the minister called upon the new board to uphold the highest standards of integrity and collective responsibility, ensuring that Ugandan citizens continue to receive high-quality cardiac care through the public health system. The new board was urged to safeguard the institute’s reputation and its vital role in national healthcare.

Source: Nile Post