UHI is establishing 16 Regional Heart Centers to expand specialized cardiac care, with Phase One underway in
five regions. Annual outreach visits continue to enhance screenings, treatment, and local healthcare training,
aligning with Uganda’s Vision 2040.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major public health challenge in Uganda, contributing significantly to non-communicable disease (NCD) mortality. To address this, UHI is establishing 16 Regional Heart Centers to decentralize specialized cardiac care, reduce patient travel burdens, and improve early diagnosis and treatment.
Phase One is already underway in Mbarara, Hoima, Gulu, Jinja, and Lira, selected based on key factors such as land availability, proximity to medical institutions, and strategic national importance. While these centers take shape, UHI continues to conduct annual outreach visits across all 16 regions, offering screenings, minor procedures, and training for local healthcare workers.
Expanding Access to Heart Care: UHI’s Plan for Regional Heart Centers
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a growing public health challenge in Uganda, significantly contributing to non-communicable disease (NCD) mortality. Currently, individuals aged 30 to 70 have a 27% probability of succumbing to an NCD, with CVDs accounting for 9% of these deaths. In 2019 alone, Uganda recorded 28,149 CVD-related deaths, with an age-standardized mortality rate of 246 per 100,000 people. Regional studies further highlight the crisis, with research from Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital revealing a 43% mortality rate among heart failure patients within six months of hospitalization.
Recognizing the urgent need for accessible cardiovascular care, the UHI is spearheading the establishment of 16 Regional Heart Centers to bring specialized services closer to communities, easing pressure on the national referral system and improving early diagnosis and treatment. These centers will be equipped with essential diagnostic and treatment facilities, ensuring that patients no longer have to travel long distances to Kampala for specialized heart
care.
This initiative aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan III (NDP III), which seek to position Uganda as a center of excellence for cardiovascular disease management. Phase One of this initiative will focus on five key regions: Mbarara, Hoima, Gulu, Jinja, and Lira. These locations were selected based on:
While the establishment of these centers progresses, UHI remains committed to ensuring each of the 16 regions is visited at least once a year through outreach programs. These outreach visits involve specialized cardiac teams conducting on-site patient screenings, diagnosis, and minor interventional procedures. The visits also serve to train local healthcare workers, enabling them to identify and manage common heart conditions effectively.
Since the inception of these outreach visits, thousands of patients have benefited from early diagnosis and timely referrals for advanced care. The program has also provided valuable data on the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in different regions, informing future healthcare strategies.
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