Health 8 September 2026 Parliament of Uganda
Busoga Region Hospitals Face Critical Shortage of Sickle Cell Drugs
The Parliamentary Committee on Health has expressed deep concern over a four-month stock-out of essential sickle cell disease (SCD) medications, including Hydroxyurea, in several health facilities across the Busoga sub-region. This shortage is significantly impacting patients who rely on these drugs to manage their condition. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4609/health-committee-irked-stock-out-sickle-cell-drugs-busoga
Parliamentary oversight has highlighted a critical drug shortage plaguing the Busoga sub-region, with key hospitals like Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Mpumudde Health Centre IV, and Buwenge General Hospital going without essential sickle cell disease (SCD) medicines for approximately four months. The absence of Hydroxyurea, a vital World Health Organization-recommended drug that helps mitigate SCD complications, is a major concern for the region’s estimated 2,000 monthly SCD patients.
During an oversight visit, the Committee on Health, led by Deputy Chairperson Hon. Hope Nakazibwe, heard from hospital staff about the persistent unavailability of Hydroxyurea. Senior Pharmacist Mathias Mayanja explained that despite agreements for local manufacturing by CIPLA/Quality Chemicals Ltd, the medicine has not been supplied via the National Medical Stores (NMS) for nearly six months.
“For an ordinary Musoga, how many do we expect to afford these specialised medicines on their own, it is next to impossible,” stated Hon. Sarah Lwansasula, Woman MP for Jinja City, underscoring the financial strain on patients.
Beyond sickle cell drugs, Jinja Hospital is also experiencing shortages of third-line antiretroviral (ARVs) drugs and faces broader drug supply issues attributed to inadequate funding. The committee reiterated calls for the government to prioritize SCD, referencing a parliamentary motion passed earlier in the year. Discussions are also underway regarding the potential for bone marrow transplant services and the urgent need for a regional blood bank.
Further compounding healthcare challenges, the hospital’s CT scan has been non-operational for two months, and the oxygen plant for four months, with delays in expert servicing from Germany prolonging equipment downtime. A separate visit by MPs to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital also took place as part of the committee’s regional tour.
Source: Parliament of Uganda