The future of cardiac care in Uganda took a monumental leap forward as the Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, officially commissioned the newly installed Catheterization Laboratory Theatre (CathLab) at the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) on December 17, 2024.
This state-of-the-art facility, valued at UGX 7.98 billion, stands as the most advanced of its kind in Africa, symbolizing Uganda’s commitment to transforming healthcare and saving lives.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Aceng highlighted the profound impact the new CathLab is expected to have on the country’s health sector. “This facility is more than just a technological upgrade; it represents hope for thousands of Ugandans battling heart disease,” she said. “The previous CathLab, installed in 2012 with support from the Government of Uganda, served us well, performing over 6,000 life-saving procedures.
These interventions saved our nation USD 90 million by providing care locally instead of referring patients abroad. Today, we take another giant step forward.”
The old CathLab, which was decommissioned in October 2024 to pave the way for the new installation, was instrumental in bridging Uganda’s healthcare gap over the past decade. Patients who might otherwise have traveled overseas for treatment were instead treated locally, saving families and the government significant costs. While each procedure abroad cost approximately USD 20,000, the UHI performed the same procedures at just USD 5,000, ensuring access to affordable, high-quality care.
“With the installation of this new CathLab, equipped with cutting-edge 2024 technology, we aim to build on that success. It is projected to handle 10,000 complex heart procedures over its lifespan, saving the nation an additional USD 150 million,” Dr. Aceng emphasized. “This is not just a financial achievement; it is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that no Ugandan has to leave the country to access world-class cardiac care.”
Dr. Aceng also lauded the dedicated team at the Uganda Heart Institute for their unwavering commitment to excellence. “This milestone would not have been possible without the skilled professionals at UHI, who have tirelessly worked to save lives and make Uganda a leader in cardiac care in the region,” she said.
The Minister further highlighted the facility’s potential to reduce the burden of heart disease in Uganda and beyond. “Heart disease remains a leading cause of death globally, and here in Uganda, we have not been spared. With this new CathLab, we are not only enhancing our ability to diagnose and treat heart conditions but also positioning UHI as a center of excellence for cardiac care in Africa.”
Dr. Aceng reaffirmed the government’s commitment to investing in healthcare infrastructure and ensuring equitable access to care for all Ugandans. “This CathLab is a beacon of our resolve to provide cutting-edge medical services at home. We are proud to lead the way in Africa, demonstrating that with the right investment, we can achieve great strides in healthcare.”
The newly commissioned CathLab is expected to revolutionize the way heart disease is treated in Uganda, enabling timely interventions and reducing the strain on families who previously had to seek expensive treatment abroad. As the facility opens its doors to patients, it marks the dawn of a new era in Uganda’s healthcare landscape—a future where quality cardiac care is accessible, affordable, and close to home.
Comments are closed.