Iganga District Chairperson Appeals for Specialist Doctors at General Hospital

By Barasa Richard-Osmara Digital Media Eastern Correspondent

IGANGA, Uganda — Iganga District Chairperson Isabirye Shabiru Kalulu has appealed to the Ministry of Health to urgently deploy additional specialist doctors to Iganga General Hospital, citing staffing shortages and increasing pressure on the facility to provide essential healthcare services.

In an official letter dated October 5, 2026, referenced LCV/ADM/10/003/2026, Kalulu called for immediate intervention to strengthen the hospital's medical workforce and improve access to specialised treatment for residents of Iganga and neighbouring districts.

The letter was received and stamped by the Ministry of Health Registry in Kampala on October 15, 2026.

According to the district chairperson, the hospital is overstretched and lacks sufficient specialists to manage critical medical conditions, creating challenges for patients who require specialised treatment.

For years, residents of Iganga and surrounding communities have called for the hospital to be upgraded to a higher-level referral facility. Although the district leadership appreciates the government's consideration of the proposal, it says a formal response is still awaited.

Kalulu, however, emphasised that healthcare needs continue while the district awaits a decision, particularly for mothers, children and other patients requiring urgent medical attention.

District Chairperson Outlines Four Priority Interventions

In his appeal, Kalulu outlined four priority interventions that he believes would improve healthcare delivery at Iganga General Hospital.

The first is the deployment of a specialist in paediatrics and child health to manage childhood illnesses and complications requiring specialised medical attention.

Second, he requested additional general medical doctors to support the existing team, reduce workloads and improve the timely treatment of patients.

Third, the district is seeking specialists in maternal health, surgery, internal medicine and other essential disciplines, based on an assessment by the Ministry of Health.

The fourth priority is strengthening diagnostic and emergency services to enable healthcare workers to identify medical conditions promptly and make appropriate treatment decisions.

The proposed interventions are intended to improve the hospital's capacity to respond to the growing healthcare needs of the population it serves.

Referral Challenges Affect Patients and Families

Iganga General Hospital serves residents of Iganga and neighbouring districts, including Namutumba, Bugiri, Bugweri and Mayuge, making it an important healthcare facility in the Busoga sub-region.

Residents have reportedly faced referrals to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital when specialised services are unavailable locally, creating additional transport expenses and difficulties for families seeking treatment.

The district's appeal highlights concerns about access to timely medical care, particularly for patients whose conditions may deteriorate while awaiting referral or transportation to another facility.

For mothers experiencing complicated labour, access to appropriately equipped maternity services and qualified specialists can be critical. Similarly, children with severe illnesses may require prompt assessment and treatment to prevent complications.

Deploying additional specialists could strengthen the hospital's ability to manage more patients locally, depending on the availability of essential equipment, medicines, theatre facilities and supporting medical personnel.

Specialist Deployment Could Strengthen Maternal and Child Healthcare

The deployment of a paediatrician would strengthen the hospital's capacity to assess and manage children with serious medical conditions.

Additional specialists in maternal healthcare could also support the management of complicated pregnancies and deliveries, including emergency obstetric procedures where the necessary facilities and surgical teams are available.

Meanwhile, additional surgeons and internal medicine specialists could expand the range of conditions managed at the hospital and help ease pressure on existing healthcare workers.

Strengthening diagnostic and emergency services would complement these interventions by supporting early detection of illnesses and more timely clinical decisions.

Beyond the immediate benefits to patients, additional staffing could help reduce the workload of existing medical personnel and improve the quality and timeliness of care.

For families, receiving appropriate treatment closer to home could also reduce the financial burden associated with travelling to other districts for specialised healthcare.

Community Leaders Welcome the Appeal

Community leaders in Iganga have welcomed Kalulu's appeal, describing it as an important step towards addressing concerns about access to specialised medical services.

Residents have raised concerns about the difficulties faced by mothers in labour and other emergency patients who require transportation to Jinja, sometimes at night and under challenging circumstances.

Sources at Iganga General Hospital, according to information provided to Osmara Digital Media, say the existing medical team is working under pressure because of high patient numbers and limited staffing, with particular concerns about the workload in the children's ward.

The district leadership believes that addressing the staffing gaps would improve service delivery and strengthen the hospital's ability to respond to the healthcare needs of communities across the Busoga sub-region.

District Awaits Ministry of Health Response

Kalulu's letter calls for urgent intervention by the Ministry of Health to address staffing shortages and strengthen essential services at Iganga General Hospital.

The district hopes the requested interventions will receive attention before the end of 2026, although no deployment timeline has been confirmed.

The Ministry's response, together with an assessment of the hospital's staffing, equipment and service needs, will be important in determining the next steps towards improving healthcare delivery.

Efforts to obtain an official comment from the Ministry of Health were ongoing by press time.

For residents who depend on Iganga General Hospital, the district's appeal represents a call for stronger healthcare services, improved access to specialised treatment and reduced challenges associated with referrals to facilities outside the district.