Hope has been renewed at Lira Regional Referral Hospital after the facility received Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) equipment valued at Shs350 million. The lifesaving donation is expected to greatly improve the care of premature and critically ill babies across Northern Uganda, where many families depend on the hospital for specialised treatment.
The equipment was provided by Pathfinder International with support from the UK Government. The contribution is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen maternal and newborn health services in Uganda, especially in regions where medical resources are often limited.Among the items delivered are oxygen blenders, mechanical ventilators, neonatal patient monitors, and stationary baby cots fitted with mattresses.
These machines play a critical role in helping newborns who struggle with breathing problems, infections, or other life-threatening conditions shortly after birth.Hospital leaders say the new equipment will reduce congestion in the NICU and allow health workers to handle complicated cases more effectively. In the past, limited equipment meant that some babies could not receive the level of monitoring and respiratory support they urgently needed.
With the new additions, survival chances for vulnerable newborns are expected to improve significantly.Dr Andrew Odur welcomed the support, noting that the hospital serves a large catchment area covering many districts in Northern Uganda. He explained that the number of referrals has been rising steadily, putting pressure on the available facilities. According to him, the donation has come at the right time when demand for neonatal services is higher than ever.He also pointed out that managing critically ill infants requires constant monitoring and specialised machines, especially for those born too early.
Without enough ventilators and monitoring devices, doctors and nurses have often had to work under very difficult conditions. The new equipment will ease this burden and improve the overall quality of care.Dr Ritah Nakigudde Waddimba, Country Director of Pathfinder International Uganda, reaffirmed the organisation’s dedication to reducing preventable deaths among mothers and newborns. She stressed that every child deserves a fair start in life and that strengthening health facilities is key to achieving this goal.
The donation comes at a time when Uganda is focusing on lowering neonatal mortality rates through better referral systems and improved hospital capacity. Health officials believe this investment will not only save lives but also restore hope to families across the Northern region who look to Lira Hospital as a centre of healing and second chances.
