The Executive Director of Mulago National Referral Hospital, Dr. Rosemary Byanyima, has issued a stark warning that patients may be forced to purchase their own medicines unless the government allocates the full Shs101 billion required for the hospital’s drug budget in the upcoming financial year.
Appearing before Parliament’s Health Committee to present the hospital’s 2025/26 Budget Framework Paper, Dr. Byanyima highlighted the severe funding gap.
Currently, Mulago Hospital receives Shs18.256 billion for medicine procurement, a fraction of the required amount. She stressed that the shortfall forces the hospital to reserve its limited drug supplies for critically ill patients who require immediate bedside care.
“If we are to have no patients walk out to buy any medication, we would need Shs101 billion,” Dr. Byanyima explained. “As it stands, we will continue writing lists for patients to go and buy their own medicines, which understandably leads to public backlash. Our priority remains the critically ill who cannot afford delays in treatment.”
The revelation comes as Mulago Hospital plans to expand its organ transplant services, including the introduction of liver transplants in April 2025.
Dr. Byanyima urged Parliament to ensure that sufficient funds for critical medicines and supplies are included in the budget to support these advanced medical procedures.
The funding gap highlights ongoing challenges in Uganda’s healthcare system, where limited resources often leave public hospitals struggling to meet patient needs. The Health Committee is now tasked with addressing the issue to prevent further strain on the nation’s largest referral hospital.
Public reaction to the news has been mixed, with many citizens expressing frustration over the persistent medicine shortages in government hospitals. Advocacy groups have called on the government to prioritize healthcare funding, warning that the current situation could worsen health outcomes for thousands of patients.
As Parliament deliberates on the 2025/26 budget, all eyes will be on whether Mulago Hospital receives the financial support it urgently requires to serve the nation’s healthcare needs.