Over 2 million pregnant women deliver at regional referral hospitals across Uganda annually, according to Dr. Andrew Odur, the Director of Lira Regional Referral Hospital.
Dr. Odur made the announcement on Saturday March 7 during the commissioning ceremony of a new Gynecology and Obstetrics Fistula Ward at the hospital.
The event was attended by the Minister of Health also Lira City woman MP, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, alongside various Lira City stakeholders.
The new ward, constructed in just four months, marks a significant upgrade in maternal healthcare for the region.
Dr. Odur revealed critical data on maternal health, noting that out of the 8,400 women who deliver at the hospital annually, 25% require operative procedures like C-sections.
He further highlighted that the Lango sub-region bears the highest burden of obstetric fistula cases in the community, often resulting from unprepared childbirth and prolonged labor.
Dr. Odur pledged to continue the hospital’s collaboration with Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) to combat this trend. He also made a passionate appeal to parents, urging them to encourage their children to pursue medical training.
“We must take an interest in training the health workforce, so that the specialized skills do not die with the current specialists,” he stated. “These skills are not genetically transmitted; they must be taught to the next generation.”
Dr. James Okello, the head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology department, elaborated on the scale of the problem. He confirmed that the department manages the high caseload by handling over 100 to 120 fistula-related cases every month through surgical camps and routine services.
Dr. Geoffrey Bukosi Mugsiha, a Principal Medical Officer from the Ministry of Health who also witnessed the commissioning, addressed the national challenge of fistula cases. He encouraged the public to combat teenage pregnancy and support all mothers to deliver at health facilities to prevent complications.
Professor Musa Kayondo, representing the Vice Chancellor of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), provided insight into the national strategy behind the project.
He explained that the ward was spearheaded by urogynecology specialists from MUST, part of a broader fellowship program—the first of its kind in East, Central, and Southern Africa.
Prof. Kayondo noted the critical shortage of specialists, revealing that before the program began, the entire country had only three specialists to serve over 24 million women at risk.
“In 2025 alone, the program conducted over 555 surgeries across the country,” he lamented, highlighting the need.
He pledged that within the next five years, the program would train over 25 urogynecologists. “Our goal is that out of the 16 regional referral hospitals, each will have at least one trained urogynecologist. In five years, we shall have over 25 specialists nationwide,” he added.
Lira City Council mayor, Sam Atul, used the platform to make a political appeal. He called on the appointing authority to promote Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero to a more senior position in the next cabinet, citing Lira’s overwhelming support for National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidates in recent elections.
Meanwhile, the Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Lawrence Egole, addressed two key issues. He first thanked journalists from the Lango sub-region for their positive and accurate reporting during the elections.
He then expressed strong concern over a land dispute threatening the hospital’s expansion. “Some people are claiming to own parts of this hospital land. This is not good because development does not happen in the air, but on the ground,” Egole said.
The RCC called on all claimants to drop their cases to allow for the expansion of more buildings, paving the way for Lira Regional Referral Hospital to be upgraded to a National Referral Hospital.
Chief Guest Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero thanked MUST for “gifting Lira University” with the expanded facility.
“This ward will now have a capacity of 45 beds, up from just 15. Our mothers will no longer sleep in tents while leaking urine. Their dignity will be restored,” Dr. Aceng said.
“Although we would have preferred a capacity of 200 beds to cater for the population of 3 million, that will come in time.”
The Minister reassured the public of the hospital’s preparedness for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. “I want to make it very clear: regarding the services we are getting from Lira Regional Referral Hospital, as a ministry, we are ready to host all visitors coming to Lira City for AFCON 2027.
“We are providing all necessary services and are working to ensure we have air ambulances available during that time.”
The new facility was built with remarkable speed. In November 2025, the hospital awarded a six-month, shs600 million contract to Nabyalen Construction and General Supply Company Limited with the works getting concluded in February 2026.
The project was fully funded by partners under the MUSA Project, based in San Diego, California, USA.
The expansion drastically eases pressure on the hospital, increasing the gynaecology ward’s capacity from just 10 beds to 45.
Discover more from tndNews, Uganda
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.