Mulago National Referral Hospital is set to introduce liver transplant services next year, a groundbreaking initiative expected to benefit patients suffering from advanced liver diseases requiring transplantation.

Dr. Rosemary Byanyima, the hospital’s Executive Director, stated that through specialized clinics, Mulago has already identified numerous patients with chronic liver conditions who are in urgent need of liver transplants.

“Mulago has partnered with Yashoda Hospitals in India, whose specialists will collaborate closely with our medical teams to perform Uganda’s first-ever liver transplant next year,” Dr. Byanyima revealed.

To prepare for this pioneering procedure, Mulago has sent multidisciplinary teams of specialists to India and the United Kingdom for one-month intensive training programs. Upon their return, the teams will begin screening patients, having refreshed their knowledge on the necessary procedures and preparations for liver transplantation.

This initiative builds on Mulago Hospital’s existing success in organ transplants, having conducted three editions of renal (kidney) transplants so far, with both recipients and donors reported to be in stable condition, a milestone for the hospital’s transplant department.

Dr. Byanyima appealed to the government and Ministry of Health to increase the hospital’s budget in anticipation of rising demand for transplant services. “We have been operating in a camp mode, where teams are mobilized to carry out procedures and then return to their respective units. However, we want transplant services to be continuous. This requires permanently stationed staff, which in turn calls for improved remuneration,” she explained.

Currently, Mulago receives 8.6 billion shillings from the National Medical Stores for essential medicines and sundries, far below the estimated optimal requirement of 35 billion shillings. The hospital’s budget for patient medicines stands at 23 billion shillings, compared to a projected need of 101 billion shillings to adequately meet demand. Dr. Byanyima noted that these limitations sometimes force patients’ attendants to cover costs for items the hospital cannot provide.

As the festive season approaches, Dr. Byanyima assured the public that Mulago Hospital will remain fully operational throughout Christmas and New Year, as it has in previous years. She observed that last year recorded fewer accident and emergency cases compared to the previous year and urged regional referral hospitals to prepare adequately to minimize unnecessary referrals that could overwhelm Mulago and affect service delivery.

Dr. Byanyima also expressed concern over staffing shortages which hampers service delivery in some departments.

Meanwhile, Dr. Jane Nakibuuka, Senior Consultant Physician and Chairperson of the Quality Assurance Committee at Mulago, announced that the hospital has received ISO certification from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. The certification covers three management systems: ISO 9001 for Quality Management, ISO 14001 for Environmental Management, and ISO 45001 for Occupational Health and Safety.

Dr. Nakibuuka explained that the hospital implemented several initiatives to improve healthcare delivery before attaining the certification. She added that the ISO accreditation will help Mulago maintain consistent quality care and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.