Kampala, Uganda | Parliament of Uganda has commended Lira Regional Referral Hospital for its strong budget performance and improved healthcare service delivery.
This followed an appearance by the hospital’s top management before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by Gorreth Namugga, on Thursday.
The committee noted that the hospital registered an impressive 97% budget absorption rate in the 2024/2025 financial year, a показатель it described as commendable in public financial management.
During the same period, the hospital received sh18b from government to facilitate its operations. The facility has a bed capacity of 456 and serves a population of about 2.6 million people across 10 districts in Lango sub-region.
Appearing before the committee, Hospital Director and Accounting Officer Dr Andrew Odur responded to queries raised in the Auditor General’s report for the financial year.
Namugga applauded the hospital leadership for adhering to statutory requirements and ensuring prudent utilisation of public funds, noting that the 97% budget absorption rate was commendable but urging the team to strive for full absorption in future.
The committee also praised the hospital for maintaining provision of free medical services, with Namugga observing that despite widespread complaints of corruption and illegal charges in some health facilities, Lira Regional Referral Hospital had continued to offer free services to the public.
Members of Parliament further lauded the hospital for improving its local revenue collection, particularly through its private wing. Revenue nearly doubled from sh335m to sh650m within one year, boosting contributions to the Consolidated Fund.
However, the hospital management raised concern over increasing patient numbers and called for enhanced funding to expand infrastructure.
Dr Odur informed the committee that the hospital plans to scale up critical care services, including increasing Intensive Care Unit (ICU) bed capacity from three to 10 and expanding dialysis services from five to 10 machines.
He added that the hospital also intends to double the neonatal unit capacity from 30 to 60 beds and construct additional storage facilities to improve service delivery.