Members of Parliament have raised concerns over overcrowding, shortages of essential medicines, broken equipment and inadequate staffing at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital’s cancer unit, calling for urgent funding to improve patient care as plans advance for a new regional oncology centre.
The concerns emerged on Tuesday during an oversight visit by the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development, which assessed healthcare delivery, infrastructure and resource allocation at the hospital.
The legislators also inspected the proposed site for the Mbarara Regional Oncology Centre, which is planned for an eight-acre piece of land donated by Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) at its Kihumuro Campus.
The project is expected to be financed through a concessional loan from the French government, as Uganda seeks to decentralise cancer diagnosis and treatment services and reduce pressure on existing facilities.
Jennifer Atuko, chairperson of the parliamentary committee, described the conditions at the hospital’s cancer unit as alarming, citing overcrowded wards, shortages of essential medicines and malfunctioning equipment that delay treatment.
“The situation at the cancer center is dire and wanting. Patients from across the Western region are enduring overcrowded wards, acute shortages of essential drugs, and broken equipment that delay vital life-saving treatments,” Atuko said.
She called for urgent budgetary interventions to address the immediate challenges while accelerating construction of the new facility.
“As parliamentarians, we cannot turn a blind eye to these operational bottlenecks. Budgetary allocations must be realigned urgently to bridge resource gaps, fast-track the new facility, and ensure that every cancer patient receives dignity and proper care,” she added.
Dr Deus Twesigye, acting director of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, said the facility was operating under increasing pressure as the population grew and demand for cancer treatment increased.
“Our population has increased and the number of cases of cancer have equally increased. We are operating far beyond our intended capacity with a critical shortage of specialized oncologists, nurses, and support staff,” Twesigye said.
He added that limited space and inadequate infrastructure were making it increasingly difficult to accommodate the growing number of patients seeking treatment.
Twesigye said the proposed eight-acre site at Kihumuro offered a long-term opportunity to expand cancer care services but stressed that the existing unit required immediate operational support.
“While the acquisition of the 8-acre land at Kihumuro offers a long-term solution, our immediate concern remains keeping the present facility functional. We urge Parliament to prioritize immediate operational funding alongside the capital loan to save lives today,” he said.
Hospital figures indicate that Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital’s cancer unit registers an average of 10 to 15 newly diagnosed cancer patients each month. It also initiates approximately 250 patients on chemotherapy and records about 600 chemotherapy-related patient visits monthly.
The figures highlight the demand for oncology services at the facility, which serves patients from across western Uganda and surrounding areas.
Uganda is pursuing a concessional loan of €31.98 million, equivalent to approximately Shs139 billion, from the French government to construct and equip the Mbarara Regional Oncology Centre.
The project forms part of broader efforts to decentralise specialised cancer services and improve access to treatment outside the country’s main referral centres.
Other planned regional oncology investments include a €9.4 million loan from UniCredit Bank Austria for a cancer facility in Mbale and a US$36.5 million loan from the Islamic Development Bank for a facility in Arua.
The proposed centres are intended to expand access to specialised cancer treatment and reduce the burden on existing facilities serving large populations.
Following the oversight visit, the parliamentary committee pledged to present a report to Parliament outlining the challenges identified and recommending measures to address immediate operational needs while advancing the proposed Mbarara oncology centre.
The committee’s recommendations are expected to inform discussions on funding priorities for cancer services and the development of specialised healthcare infrastructure.
However, the proposed centre’s long-term impact will depend not only on construction and equipment but also on the availability of specialised medical personnel, essential medicines and adequate operational funding.