A major transformation is underway in northern Uganda’s healthcare landscape as C-Care has unveiled a multi-billion-shilling expansion of its Gulu facility, positioning it as a growing hub for advanced and decentralized medical services in the region.
The upgraded facility in Gulu now features an additional 35 beds, bringing total capacity to 50, alongside new intensive care (ICU) and high dependency (HDU) units, two modern operating theatres, expanded emergency services, and advanced diagnostic equipment including CT scan and X-ray services.
The development is being hailed as a practical step toward reducing Uganda’s long-standing dependence on Kampala for specialised treatment.
According to hospital management, the expansion marks a strategic transition from a primary healthcare centre into a full-scale tertiary care facility capable of handling complex medical cases locally.
“We used to operate with only 10 beds, and patients would be stretched beyond capacity,” said hospital manager Mary Muraya.
“Now we have expanded because the community kept asking for more space and we could no longer ignore that need,” he added.
Muraya noted that the facility currently receives over 100 patients daily, the majority being local residents seeking treatment for chronic conditions such as sickle cell disease, hereditary illnesses, accidents, routine check-ups, and ongoing treatment.
She added that community trust has grown significantly over the past decade, driving the institution’s transformation.
“Our relationship with the community is strong and we want every patient who walks in here to leave satisfied and well cared for,” she said.
Reducing medical travel and costs
One of the key impacts of the expansion is reduced medical travel to Kampala for diagnostics and critical care.
The hospital now offers CT scanning services at approximately shs60,000 per scan, which management says is among the most affordable rates in the region compared to other private facilities and referral hospitals.
“We are committed to affordability without compromising quality and we also want patients to access care closer to home,” Muraya said.
She further told this publication that plans are also underway to install MRI equipment, further strengthening diagnostic capacity in northern Uganda.
The upgraded facility includes a dedicated accident and emergency unit designed to respond to trauma cases, particularly road traffic accidents, which remain common in the region.
Dr. Dan Oriba Langoya, physician and associate consultant at Gulu University, described the development as a “game changer” for northern Uganda’s healthcare system.
“This facility is bringing real change ICU services, theatres, and imaging are now available locally,” he said.
“This will improve diagnosis and treatment of conditions like pulmonary embolism and other complications that previously required referral to Kampala,” he added.
He urged communities to embrace the facility as part of strengthening local healthcare systems while also warning that sustained investment and accountability will be key to its success.
General Manager Andrew Mugalu, overseeing operations for C-Care Uganda, said the expansion reflects a deliberate shift toward strengthening secondary and tertiary healthcare services in northern Uganda.
“We are moving beyond primary care and this facility now supports critical care, surgery, emergency response, and advanced diagnostics,” Mugalu said.
He added that the hospital has recruited multiple specialists, including surgeons, pediatricians, gynecologists, orthopedic experts, and ENT specialists, many drawn from the local region.
“We want patients to receive world-class care without travelling long distances or incurring unnecessary costs,” he said.
Mugalu also highlighted plans for regular medical camps and quarterly free surgical outreach programmes to serve underserved communities.
Vision for a decentralised health system
C-Care East Africa CEO Azhar Sundhoo said the Gulu expansion reflects a broader vision of decentralizing healthcare across Uganda and reducing pressure on Kampala’s referral system.
“We believe in bringing quality healthcare closer to the people and Gulu presents a major opportunity to demonstrate that world-class, affordable healthcare can exist outside the capital,” he disclosed.
He added that the facility is expected to achieve international accreditation, marking a milestone for private healthcare standards outside Kampala.
Sundhoo also announced plans for annual community medical camps and free surgical outreach programmes aimed at improving early diagnosis and treatment in surrounding districts.
Beyond healthcare delivery, the expansion is also expected to generate employment opportunities for medical professionals and support staff in the region.
Experts say the investment could help ease congestion at national referral hospitals while strengthening northern Uganda’s resilience in managing emergencies and chronic conditions locally.
However, stakeholders caution that sustainability will depend on continued investment in equipment, staffing, and affordability policies that ensure access for low-income patients.
As tree planting ceremonies marked the official launch led by religious and cultural leaders alongside hospital executives, the project was framed as both a healthcare milestone and a symbol of long-term regional development.
For many in northern Uganda, the expanded facility represents more than infrastructure; it signals a shift toward dignity in healthcare access where critical treatment no longer requires a costly journey to the capital.
If sustained, the model being advanced in Gulu could redefine how tertiary healthcare is delivered across Uganda: locally grounded, regionally accessible, and increasingly self-reliant.
Discover more from tndNews, Uganda
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.