He said the bill provides for the establishment of a board of directors, which will be responsible for overseeing the operations of the institute. According to the bill, the board shall be comprised of 7 members three of who must be women of high moral character, proven integrity and competence appointed by the Health Minister.
Other members of the board include the Director of Mulago National Referral Hospital, a representative of Uganda Heart Foundation, Health Ministry, and representative of the colleges and schools of health science, one Ugandan cardiovascular expert and the executive director who shall be an ex-official member. The Committee also recommended that the Heart Institute should establish appropriate departments responsible for the provision of palliative care and rehabilitation services.
“The primary goal is to improve quality of life of patients and those around them by neither prolonging life nor hastening death”, reads part of the committee report. Despite endorsing the Uganda Heart Institute Bill, 2015, the MPs noted the poor working condition of health workers at Uganda Heart Institute.
Paul Mwiru, the Jinja East Member of parliament, said there need for government to address the welfare of the personnel at the Institute such as improving their pay so as to maintain them at the institute. Helen Asamo, the representative of Persons with Disabilities-PWDs said that making the Institute autonomous will ease the procurement processes at the Institute.
Opposition Whip, Cecilia Ogwal called on government to decentralize the services of Uganda Heart Institute.
Health Minister, Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye said with the passing of the bill, the institute will be able to handle all heart conditions including transplants, since Uganda Heart Institute is one of the most advanced care centers in Africa.
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