C-CARE UGANDA LAUNCHES UPGRADED GULU HOSPITAL TO BOOST SPECIALIZED HEALTHCARE IN NORTHERN UGANDA

Front View of the newly commissioned C-Care Hospital Gulu.

By Proscovia Achomo

Gulu City

C-Care Uganda has officially unveiled its newly upgraded branch in Gulu City, marking a major milestone in strengthening healthcare delivery across Northern Uganda.

The modern 45-bed facility is expected to serve as a regional hub for advanced diagnostics, emergency medicine, critical care, and specialized treatment services, bringing improved and more accessible healthcare closer to communities in the Acholi sub-region.

Speaking during the launch, Mary Muraya, the Hospital Manager, said the expansion was driven by increasing demand for services and the need to address space limitations at the former medical center.

“We have walked this journey together with the community for the last 10 years while operating as IMC. We are now transitioning from a medical center to a fully-fledged hospital because patients consistently requested more space and improved services whenever the facility became overwhelmed,” Muraya said.

She noted that the upgrade reflects the institution’s commitment to responding to the growing healthcare needs of the population in Northern Uganda.

C-Care East Africa Chief Executive Officer, Azhar Sundhoo, described the development as the first phase of a broader healthcare transformation project in Gulu.

“We identified immense potential in Gulu to deliver quality healthcare services. We started with a small 10-bed facility, and today we are proud to transition into tertiary healthcare with a world-class hospital,” Sundhoo said.

He further revealed that the facility is set to become the first internationally accredited hospital outside Kampala under the Council for Health Service Accreditation of Southern Africa (COHSASA), underscoring the institution’s commitment to quality and accessible healthcare.

“As C-Care, we believe healthcare is a universal right accessible to everyone regardless of their background. We are developing pricing models and healthcare packages that will enable more people to access quality medical care,” he added.

In response to increasing demand from the public for advanced diagnostic services, the CEO pledged to secure an MRI Machine for the facility, a move expected to enhance medical imaging capabilities and improve timely diagnosis and treatment for patients.

Andrew Mugalu, General Manager of C-Care IMC Uganda, emphasized the importance of expanding access to affordable healthcare services, noting that financial barriers remain a major challenge for many Ugandans seeking treatment.

“The lack of a National Health Insurance Scheme continues to limit access to healthcare in Uganda. Without it, many Ugandans still face significant financial hardship when seeking medical care. We often see patients delay treatment or struggle to complete their care because they are paying out of pocket. A well-structured national insurance system would protect families from catastrophic health costs and significantly improve access to quality healthcare across the country” he said.

Dr. Dan Oriba Langoya noted that the upgraded facility will significantly reduce the need for patients from the Acholi sub-region to seek specialized treatment in Kampala, thanks to improved infrastructure and advanced medical technology.

He explained that the hospital is now equipped with modern operating theatres, an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and advanced CT scan services capable of handling complex medical conditions that previously required referrals to the capital.

According to Dr. Langoya, patients suffering from conditions such as blood clots, severe trauma, and other critical illnesses can now receive timely diagnosis and treatment in Gulu, avoiding delays and high costs associated with travel to Kampala.

“The presence of advanced diagnostic equipment and specialized care services means many emergencies can now be managed here in Gulu. This is a major breakthrough for healthcare access in Northern Uganda,” he said.

The hospital will offer a wide range of services, including 24-hour emergency care, advanced diagnostic imaging, ICU services, modular operating theatres, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, orthopedics, dentistry, surgery, and outpatient care.

Health leaders and community members welcomed the development, describing it as a significant investment that will improve access to quality healthcare and strengthen the region’s medical infrastructure.