Detailed Response to Overcrowding at the Uganda Cancer Institute: Comprehensive Mitigation Measures
25 Dec
By jssali0 comment
Detailed Response to Overcrowding at the Uganda Cancer Institute: Comprehensive Mitigation Measures
The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) recognizes the urgent need to address the challenge of patient overcrowding and is committed to ensuring accessible, equitable, and high-quality cancer care for all Ugandans. This challenge is partly due to available facilities and the confidence people have in our services. The Institute is implementing several targeted interventions to manage patient influx and expand its capacity to deliver cancer care.
Below are the detailed mitigation measures:
1. Expansion of Infrastructure
To accommodate the growing number of cancer patients, UCI is investing in infrastructure expansion, including the construction of a 350-bed specialized cancer hospital. This facility will significantly increase capacity for inpatient care, outpatient clinics, and specialized treatment services, reducing congestion and enhancing patient care.
2. Enhancing Radiotherapy Services
UCI is addressing delays in cancer treatment caused by limited access to radiotherapy through:
•Procuring additional radiotherapy machines to reduce patient waiting times.
•Upgrading and maintaining existing equipment to ensure reliability.
•Training healthcare professionals to enhance the quality and efficiency of radiotherapy services.
•These measures aim to provide timely treatment, a critical factor in improving patient outcomes.
3. Fast-Tracking the Multipurpose Building
The completion of the Multipurpose Building is a top priority. This facility will house:
•Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) services, the first of its kind in Uganda, offering life-saving treatment for blood-related cancers.
•Research and training facilities, advancing cancer care innovation and strengthening UCI’s capacity to train specialists.
•Additional outpatient clinics, reducing overcrowding and enabling more patients to receive timely consultations and treatment.
4. Establishing a Call Centre
To streamline patient flow, UCI has established a dedicated Call Centre (numbers 0326120100 and toll free 0800100800) that:
•Schedules patient appointments to minimize congestion at UCI.
•Provides real-time updates and guidance to patients, reducing unnecessary visits.
•Facilitates better communication between healthcare providers and patients for an improved care experience.
5. Setting Up Regional Cancer Centres
To decentralize cancer care and reduce overcrowding at the main UCI facility in Kampala, regional cancer centres have been set up across the country. These centres are strategically located to ensure accessibility for patients in different regions.
•Northern Uganda – Gulu: The Gulu Regional Cancer Centre is already functional and awaiting official commissioning.
•Eastern Uganda – Mbale: Preparations are underway, and funding has been identified to make this centre operational.
•Western Uganda – Mbarara: Efforts to operationalize this centre are progressing, with funding already secured.
•West Nile – Arua: Like Mbarara and Mbale, funding has been identified, and work is in progress to establish this centre.
These regional cancer centres will bring comprehensive cancer care closer to patients’ communities, reducing the need for travel to Kampala and alleviating the burden on the main facility. Gulu Regional cancer centre
Conclusion
The Uganda Cancer Institute remains steadfast in its mission to provide timely, high-quality, and accessible cancer care. Through the expansion of infrastructure, improvement of radiotherapy services, operationalization of regional cancer centres, and the establishment of a dedicated call centre, UCI is tackling the issue of overcrowding head-on.
These interventions will not only enhance patient care but also ensure a more equitable distribution of cancer services across the country. UCI continues to appeal for the support of the government, development partners, and other stakeholders to realize these ambitious yet vital goals. Together, we can ensure that all Ugandans have access to the cancer care they need and deserve.
Dr. Jackson Orem
Executive Director
Uganda Cancer Institute