Members of Parliament raised concern over the situation, with Basil Bataringaya (Kashari North) describing the lack of a surgeon at a specialised facility as unacceptable.
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Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital is operating without a resident surgeon and eye specialist, forcing the transfer of critically ill newborns to other facilities and exposing them to health risks.
The development was revealed by Dr. Sam Ononge, the hospital’s Acting Executive Director, while appearing before the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee to respond to queries raised in the Auditor General’s report.
Dr. Ononge told legislators that the absence of a surgeon has made it necessary to refer infants requiring surgical intervention to Mulago National Referral Hospital and other specialised centres.
“Currently, we don’t have a surgeon. So, any baby who requires surgery has to be moved to the main Mulago Hospital, and that requires a lot of coordination,” he said.
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He warned that transferring newborns, particularly those in critical condition, exposes them to risks such as infections and complications arising from temperature changes.
“If we had our own doctor within the hospital, that movement would be reduced. Moving a tiny baby who has just been delivered carries risks of infection and cold, and in some cases, you may lose that baby,” he added.
Babies born with congenital heart conditions are referred to the Uganda Heart Institute for specialised treatment.
Members of Parliament raised concern over the situation, with Basil Bataringaya (Kashari North) describing the lack of a surgeon at a specialised facility as unacceptable.
“There is no way you can provide comprehensive medical services without surgical capacity,” Bataringaya said, urging government to prioritise recruitment of specialised medical personnel.
Dr. Ononge also highlighted the absence of an eye specialist, noting that premature babies require early screening to prevent conditions that can lead to blindness.
He said the hospital is forced to transport such infants to private facilities including Mengo Hospital and Nsambya Hospital for eye examinations.
“We do not have a specialist to examine these babies’ eyes. So, on specific days, we transport them to Mengo and Nsambya for check-ups and then bring them back,” he said.
He cautioned that delays in screening and treatment could result in permanent vision loss.
“When intervention is delayed beyond a certain period, the child may survive but end up blind, which is a lifelong disability,” he added.
The Vice Chairperson of the committee, Gorreth Namugga, described the situation as alarming, citing her personal experience with neonatal care.
She said her second child had previously been admitted to the facility after being born weighing one kilogram, giving her insight into the challenges faced in the unit.
“For some of us who have gone through it, we understand what it means. The nurse-to-baby ratio is overwhelming, and the pressure on staff is immense,” Namugga said.
She emphasised the need for adequate staffing, including surgeons and specialists, to improve neonatal outcomes.
The committee has urged government to address the staffing gaps to ensure that specialised maternal and neonatal services are delivered without unnecessary referrals.