Upgraded oxygen plant at Hoima hospital poised to ease regional burden

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Hoima Regional Referral Hospital has significantly increased its oxygen production capacity. The hospital is now capable of supplying oxygen to health facilities across the Bunyoro sub-region.

The hospital director, Dr Ibrahim Bwaga, said on September 2, 2025, during the Uganda Coordinating Mechanisms for Global Fund Joint Programme visit at the facility that the new plant, which is awaiting power connectivity, has the capacity to produce 100 oxygen cylinders every eight hours, compared to the previous one, which would produce eight cylinders a day.

Bwaga said that the plant has undergone a series of operational tests conducted by experts from both the Ministry of Health and Hoima hospital to ensure its efficiency.

"We have conducted tests of the new facility, and it will enhance service delivery once operational. We are waiting for the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company to connect electricity because the facility will require a lot of power," Bwaga said.

Bwaga said that these tests, which have been consistent for the past month, indicate that the new plant can rapidly produce medical oxygen for both acute healthcare services and general ward needs and will serve all the health units.

He highlighted the significance of this development, noting that it will ease the burden on patients.

Bwaga also pointed out that the new plant is automated, reducing the manual workload significantly. The plant’s automated fittings enable the seamless movement of oxygen cylinders throughout the production chain, minimising the need for human effort.

He said that the hospital’s X-ray machine, which has been faulty, has also been assessed by experts, and the concerned engineers are looking for the spare parts to replace the damaged parts.

"We have a challenge with the X-ray machine, which was installed some years back by the Ministry of Health, broke down some months back, we are waiting for the engineers to carry out the repairs," Bwaga said.

The Uganda Country Coordination Mechanism (UCCM) board member representative of international non-governmental organisations, Edward Birakatwate, said that the engagement was aimed at assessing the impact of Global Fund interventions in areas of HIV, TB, Malaria and Sexual Reproductive Health.

"We are happy with the success of the projects implemented in Hoima with funding by the Global Fund, and we are optimistic they will enhance service delivery," Birakwate said.

He said that the Global Fund financed the construction and equipment of the facility with the aim of improving service delivery to the people.

Birakwate said that Hoima Regional Referral Hospital has greatly improved its services to the community with the support of the Global Fund.