Mengo Hospital has launched an expanded accident and emergency department aimed at addressing rising trauma cases.
Speaking during the opening ceremony on Monday, Mengo Hospital Executive Director, Dr.Simon Peter Nsingo said the expanded department will see improvement in turn around time.
“This is something we needed in a country where patients are concerned about the time they spend in the hospital. Therefore, the purpose of opening up this space was to improve efficiencies and quality of care we give to patients,” Dr.Nsingo said.
He explained that the expanded accident and emergence department will see them attend to all patients who come when critically ill at ago.
“The facility ensures the patients access theatre immediately and doctors without any delay which is critical in ensuring their health. Previously, we were offering services but since trauma cases keep increasing due to accidents, we thought it was wise to expand this facility from about eight emergence and accident beds to between 16 and 20 emergence beds.”
Dr.Nsingo explained that the expansion will ensure no patient is turned away in their hour of need.
“By integrating emergency, outpatient, and specialist care under one roof, we hope to operate more efficiently and save many lives.”
He said the new facility speaks to the rising trauma cases around the country, with 25,107 road crashes registered last year, representing a 6.4% increase.
Speaking during the same function, the Bishop of Namirembe Diocese, Rt Rev Moses Banja urged medics at the hospital to be humble in whatever they do.
“God has put you in this sensitive place to take good care of people’s lives. You must do it well. Treat patients well. Even if the person you are handling is of low status, treat them with dignity as God would love you to do,” Bishop Banja said.
“Be humble and receive patients with a smiling face so that whoever comes here receives the services they need. We have seen some places where patients are admitted but handled in a poor way due to their status. I urge staff to do their work as if they are doing it for God.”
