By Our Reporter 

SOROTI CITY — Soroti Regional Referral Hospital is facing a deepening infrastructure, staffing and equipment crisis, prompting the Parliamentary Health Committee to call for urgent government action and the construction of a modern regional referral and teaching hospital.

The committee, led by its chairperson, Dr Monday Julias Rude, made the call after inspecting the facility on Wednesday and witnessing what legislators described as unacceptable conditions at a hospital serving thousands of patients from across the Teso sub-region.

Dr Rude said the hospital’s challenges extend across key service areas, including the outpatient department, casualty, emergency unit, general wards, maternity and theatre.

“We have visited but have seen the worst of Soroti Regional Referral Hospital,” Dr Rude said, expressing concern over the deteriorating infrastructure and limited capacity of the facility.

One of the major concerns raised was the hospital’s theatre, which has only two operating tables and limited space, forcing medical workers to work in shifts, including weekends, to manage the growing workload.

The maternity unit was also reported to have only six delivery sets, despite serving a large population.

Hospital Executive Director Dr Watmon Benedict told the committee that the facility has a traditional bed capacity of 278 but is operating with only about 23 per cent of the required staffing level.

The hospital currently has 283 staff, compared with 267 in 2021, while only 15 specialists are available against the facility’s needs.

Dr Watmon said the ageing infrastructure was not only affecting service delivery but also creating safety risks for both health workers and patients.

He cited the hospital’s old electrical wiring system and underground cables, which he said require a complete overhaul to prevent potential hazards.

“We have the very old wiring system. Each time we are trying to improve but some underground wires, they need to overhaul the whole system,” he said.

According to hospital officials, a doctor was previously electrocuted while working in the theatre, heightening concerns over the safety of the facility’s electrical system.

The hospital has since involved the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited and engineers from Soroti University to assess the electrical infrastructure, with both reportedly recommending a complete overhaul.

However, the Parliamentary Health Committee said the problems facing the hospital require more than piecemeal renovations.

Dr Rude said Parliament would advocate for the construction of a modern regional referral and teaching hospital with adequate space, equipment and staffing.

“We think the health of every Ugandan matters and must be put first,” he said.

The proposed new hospital could be constructed on land offered by Soroti University, whose School of Health Sciences has made available 50 acres to facilitate expansion.

Prof Samuel Kabwigu, Dean of the School of Health Sciences at Soroti University, said the land could provide an opportunity to transform Soroti into a major regional teaching and referral centre.

“There is a willingness from government to help fund and construct a modern hospital. It is actually long overdue,” Prof Kabwigu said.

Dr Watmon said the Ministry of Health had already expressed interest in constructing a new hospital on the university land, with potential support from development partners, including JICA.

However, he said alleged encroachment on the university land had complicated efforts to secure a title for the proposed 50-acre site.

The staffing crisis was another major concern raised during the inspection.

Soroti City Health Officer Dr Okiror Noah said understaffing was severely affecting health service delivery, while the shortage at lower-level facilities was contributing to congestion at the regional referral hospital.

Soroti City East MP Attan Moses Okia told the committee that Soroti East Division Health Centre III has only 10 staff out of an approved 55, while Soroti West Division Health Centre III has 12 out of 55.

He said patients who should ordinarily be treated at lower-level facilities were being referred to the regional hospital because of inadequate staffing and functionality.

“We have a hospital under a lot of pressure. There are many cases that are not referrals, but they are as a result of the dysfunctional Health Centre IIIs,” Attan said.

Officials informed the committee that 104 positions had been declared to the Health Service Commission for recruitment, while a request for clearance to recruit additional staff had been submitted to the Ministry of Public Service.

The hospital is also facing financial and administrative challenges, including pension and gratuity arrears. Officials reported Shs377 million in pension arrears accumulated between 2019 and 2022, alongside Shs221 million in gratuity arrears.

The committee further heard concerns over the migration from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll System to the Human Capital Management System and the absence of an internal auditor since January 2025.

Power supply remains another major challenge, with the hospital lacking a dedicated electricity line and experiencing frequent interruptions.

Attan called for the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Health to consider providing Soroti Regional Referral Hospital with a dedicated power line similar to those serving other major regional referral hospitals.

The hospital’s 16-slice CT scanner was also reported to be non-functional because of servicing challenges. Dr Rude recommended that Soroti benefit from newer equipment being provided by the Ministry of Health, including consideration for a 128-slice CT scanner.

The committee also raised concern over allegations of extortion involving post-mortem services and the handling of bodies.

Dr Rude said post-mortem services should be free and warned health workers and police officers against demanding money from grieving families.

“I must be on record to say that issues of extortion that are even involving police for dead bodies to collect money is unacceptable,” he said.

The matter has been referred to relevant police authorities for investigation.

The committee also expressed concern about the condition of Princess Diana Health Centre IV, which supports Soroti Regional Referral Hospital during emergencies and power outages. The facility reportedly has only 39 staff against an approved 130, while its theatre and operating table are in poor condition.

Attan further raised concerns about Otatai Health Centre III, which has reportedly been completed but remains without adequate staffing, equipment and electricity.

Despite the challenges, the committee commended Soroti Regional Referral Hospital for improvements in the management of medicines and medical supplies, particularly efforts to reduce drug stock-outs and minimise wastage.

Dr Rude also praised health workers and senior specialists who continue serving at the hospital despite the difficult working conditions.

The committee pledged to table the concerns raised during the inspection before Parliament and engage the Ministries of Health, Public Service, Energy and other relevant government agencies on improving the hospital.

At the centre of the committee’s recommendations is the construction of a modern regional referral and teaching hospital capable of serving the growing population of Teso and reducing pressure on health facilities outside the region.

For Soroti, the parliamentary intervention has renewed calls for the long-standing vision of a modern referral facility that can match the region’s growing healthcare needs.