Lira, Uganda – Lira Regional Referral Hospital (LRRH) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully performing its first closed-heart surgical procedures.
The life-saving operations, conducted by a team of expert cardiac surgeons from the Uganda Heart Institute, have benefited 10 patients, marking a significant step forward in specialized healthcare for Northern Uganda.
During her visit to the hospital on Wednesday February 26, 2025, Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng praised the medical team for their dedication and skill.
She also announced the government’s ambitious plan to establish 18 regional heart centers across Uganda.
These centers, she said, will bring cardiac services closer to the people, reducing the need for long-distance travel to Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala.
Among the patients who underwent surgery is 4 year-old Acen Daisy, whose parents had struggled to find the right medical care for her heart condition.
Her father, Roben Oleka, a resident of Agali in Erute South, was overwhelmed with gratitude.
“I brought my child here when she was struggling to breathe because of heart issues, but now I’m really happy because there are many improvements after the surgery,” Oleka shared.
Dr. Peter Lwabi, the Deputy Executive Director of the Uganda Heart Institute, revealed that LRRH had received eight patients, but due to the complexity of some cases, three will be treated at the Uganda Heart Institute in Kampala.
“Beyond surgery, we are committed to training medical staff at Lira Regional Referral Hospital on heart diseases, which are among the leading non-communicable diseases silently killing many Ugandans,” Dr. Lwabi added.
To further strengthen heart healthcare in Northern Uganda, Lira University has donated five acres of land to the Uganda Heart Institute for the construction of Northern Uganda’s first regional heart center.
“This regional heart center will be the first of its kind outside Kampala and will bring cardiac services closer to the people of Northern Uganda,” Dr. Lwabi said.
Dr. Andrew Odur, the Acting Hospital Director of LRRH, expressed his appreciation for this initiative, emphasizing how it has saved lives.
“This is a great achievement for Lira Hospital. The ability to perform heart surgeries here is a step forward in improving specialized healthcare services in the region,” he said.
Lira City Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Lawrence Egole also weighed in, criticizing opposition figures who downplay the government’s development efforts.
“Some opposition individuals claim the NRM government has done nothing, yet we see great strides in healthcare, like these heart surgeries and the upcoming regional heart center. NRM has done a lot to steer this country forward,” Egole stated.
By establishing regional heart centers, the government aims to make these life-saving procedures more accessible to ordinary Ugandans.
The successful heart surgeries at Lira Regional Referral Hospital and the planned Lira Regional Heart Center signal a major shift in Uganda’s healthcare system.
With government commitment, expert medical personnel, and new facilities, Northern Uganda is set to become a major hub for cardiac care.
