The rehabilitation of a key internal road at Lira Regional Referral Hospital is nearing completion, marking another milestone in a series of infrastructure projects aimed at improving access, patient care, and the overall hospital environment. Works on a section of Police Road which passes through the hospital, between the Outpatient Department (OPD) and Emergency, and the Inpatient Department are now 85 percent complete.
The road was temporarily blocked in May to pave the way for its upgrade with heavy-duty concrete pavers designed to withstand high traffic volumes, installation of street lights to improve visibility and safety for patients, visitors and health workers, particularly during night hours. The road works form part of a broader infrastructure improvement program currently underway at the hospital, one of Northern Uganda’s largest referral facilities serving millions of people from the Lango, Acholi, Karamoja and West Nile sub-regions.
Besides the road rehabilitation works, the expansion of the hospital’s Private Wing Outpatient Department (OPD) is now 98 percent complete. Other projects like the rehabilitation of the Isolation Ward for infectious diseases, to strengthen the hospital’s preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks, and construction of new canopies covering major pedestrian walkways across the hospital are also ongoing.
Hospital officials say the canopy project is intended to protect patients and caregivers from harsh weather conditions while moving between service points within the expansive facility. The expansion of the Private Wing OPD is also expected to ease congestion and improve access to specialized services, while the upgraded Eye Unit will enhance the hospital’s capacity to manage increasing numbers of patients seeking ophthalmic care.
Recently, the Hospital’s Board of Directors reviewed progress on the ongoing and recently completed projects as part of its Fourth Quarterly Meeting and final sitting for the 2025/2026 financial year. Speaking after the inspection, Board Chairperson Dr. Fred Nyankori expressed satisfaction with both the quality of work and the pace of implementation.
“The transformation taking place at Lira Regional Referral Hospital is evident, and these investments will significantly improve the environment for both patients and healthcare workers,” Dr. Nyankori said. He noted that the developments are part of a long-term strategy to modernize the hospital’s infrastructure and improve service delivery for the growing population that depends on the facility.
Dr. Nyankori further revealed that the Board has already identified key priorities for the 2026/2027 financial year. Among them is a review of the hospital’s 10-year Master Plan to pave the way for the construction of a modern ward complex.
The hospital has in recent years witnessed significant growth in specialized medical services, including the introduction of an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), dialysis services, CT scan services, and the Regional Ambulance Call and Dispatch Centre. Acting Hospital Director Dr. Andrew Odur commended the Board for providing strategic leadership and oversight that has enabled the institution to implement major development projects.
He said management’s immediate focus is to ensure the timely completion and effective utilization of the new infrastructure while strengthening human resources and specialized healthcare services.
“Our focus now is to consolidate these achievements by ensuring full utilization of the Shs6 billion wage allocation to recruit the required human resources and operationalize specialized services,” he said. Adding that “We are committed to ensuring that critical units such as the Intensive Care Unit, Dialysis Centre, CT Scan Services and the Regional Ambulance Call and Dispatch Centre operate efficiently and seamlessly for the benefit of the population we serve.”-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
