By Anthony Kushaba
apearlnews.com
Mbarara Referral Hospital has emerged as the overall winner of the 2022 public service award, beating all other hospitals and all other counterparts in the country.
The award was received by the Hospital Director, Dr. Celestine Barigye, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, where the 11th public service day took place. The good news was broken by Halson Kagure, the Mbarara Referral Hospital Public Relations officer, who confirmed that the hospital scored 79%.
According to Halson Kagure, this is a highly competitive award which speaks to the twenty-four hour toil and sweat experienced by the hospital staff in ensuring that health services are trickled to all users.
Dr. Barigye expressed delight at winning the award, saying it shows that the government is paying attention to hospital achievements.
I am extremely happy; I have no words to express myself, “Dr. Barigye said.” Dr. Barigye also praised government assistance provided through relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Health, which operates Mbarara RRH, and the Ministry of Public Service, which has worked tirelessly to ensure that workers are motivated in a variety of ways.
Dr Diana Atwine, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health, was recently quoted as lavishing praise on the hospital director during the launch of Histopathology and Research Laboratories earlier this month.
According to Dr. Diana, the Mbarara RRH Director, Dr. Celestine Barigye, has distinguished himself through hard work with a clear aim of transforming the hospital, which many believe deserves a national referral status.
The hospital’s public relations officer, Halson Kagure, explains that, amidst limited space, Mbarara Referral Hospital has continued to grow by leaps and bounds.
For example, Halson Kagure says that after showing potential, the government and other key partners like USAID responded by awarding them two multi-billion-dollar laboratories. “Laboratories such as the newly launched laboratory funded by the American people will no doubt improve the quality of health care besides research by Mbarara University of Science and Technology, which is the hospital’s teaching affiliate,” says Halson Kagure. Mr. Francis Mugisha, the Mbarara Referral Hospital senior accountant, says he was very happy to hear that the hospital received the award.
According to Mr. Mugisha, who’s also a member of the top management committee, winning such an award arouses inner motivation. “It’s good that the public has appreciated our services and we will continue to provide more to the people (wanainchi).” His joy was also shared by Mr. Joseph Balikudembe, the hospital’s senior human resource officer, who urged his staff to stay put in order to win more awards.
In an exclusive interview with Dr. Celestine Barigye, he also added that, through government support and other development partners, the hospital was gifted with a new COVID-19 treatment center. More so, Mbarara Referral Hospital has made a household name in performing high-risk surgeries, with the latest being the successful separation of conjoined twins.
Apparently, according to the hospital director Mbarara Referral Hospital receives over 6 million people from greater Ankole and neighborhood countries. Dr. Barigye commended the hospital staff for working hard to attend to patients adding that it’s the reason they have scooped this award.
Africa public service day is celebrated annually on 22nd June every year by all UN member states in recognition of the United Nations International day of public service.
