Feature: Uganda hails China's medical aid as demand outstrips provision

Despite the scorching sunshine, hundreds of patients queue at a Chinese donated hospital in the capital Kampala seeking the much needed medical attention.

The swelling numbers of patients coming to the China-Uganda Friendship Hospital is a signal of the demand for health services outstripping the provision across the east African country.

China's support to Uganda by sending medical teams, donating medical equipment and medicines is jab that the country will continue to appreciate, according to Asuman Lukwago, permanent secretary ministry of health.

About a fortnight ago China sent a new team of medical volunteers who will work at the China-Uganda Friendship Hospital for two years taking over another team that is going back home.

For the last over three decades, China has been sending medical volunteers to Uganda with different specialties ranging from Urologists, gynecologists, orthopedics among others.

"They bring in new expertise and knowledge in different health areas," Lukwago told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Lukwago who is also a medical doctor said the care and services provided by the medical teams both in Jinja in eastern Uganda and in the capital Kampala has been critical in improving the delivery of health services.

The teams were previously stationed at Jinja Hospital about 80 km east of the Kampala serving over 2,000 patients daily from 13 neighboring districts. The teams were moved to Kampala.

Through sending medical teams to Uganda, China is creating stronger bonds between the Chinese and the locals who cannot afford to get treatment for their ailments.

This, according to Lukwago is paying off as there is increased demand for their services especially in a situation where there are few medical practitioners.

"The people are particularly happy and excited about the services our Chinese medical counterparts and teams are offering and the new technology they have brought," Lukwago said.

Apart from the medical teams, China donated the China-Friendship Hospital to Uganda. It is a 100 bed general hospital that acts as an alternative to the over crowed Mulago National Referral Hospital. It is at this hospital that the Chinese medical volunteers are stationed.

Apart from the medical teams and the freshly constructed hospital, China has over the years donated anti-malaria medicines. Malaria remains the second killer disease among children under five, claiming 42 children daily and 1,095 annually according to the Uganda Demographic Health Survey 2011.

"We continue to receive tremendous support and commitment from the Chinese government. Their investment in our health sector is very fruitful," said Lukwago.

Michael Osinde, a former Director Jinja Hospital Director argues that besides sending medical teams and the various donations Uganda and China could venture into making regional referral hospitals in the country accredited centers of training of universities.

Each referral hospital would specialize into specific areas in the medical field for instance pediatrics, orthopedics or urology. This, Osinde argued would increase the number of trained medical people in the country.

Uganda's ministry of finance figures show the health worker to population ratio as 1:1298 compared to the World Health Organization guidelines of 1:439. Endit