Health 18 September 2026 Parliament of Uganda
Arua Hospital Grapples with Severe Staff Shortage, Operating at 23% Capacity
Arua Regional Referral Hospital is critically understaffed, operating with only 23% of its approved workforce, significantly impacting its ability to meet the escalating demands of its 2.5 million-strong catchment population. This dire situation was revealed by the hospital's acting director during an appearance before the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4615/arua-hospital-runs-23-percent-staffing-amid-rising-patient-pressure
Arua Regional Referral Hospital is facing a severe human resource crisis, functioning with a mere 23% of its necessary staff. This significant deficit hampers the hospital’s capacity to deliver essential healthcare services to the vast West Nile region, which serves approximately 2.5 million people, including refugees and cross-border visitors.
Dr. Gilbert Aniku, the acting director and a senior pediatrician, informed the Public Accounts Committee that the hospital handles an overwhelming caseload of about 130,000 outpatients and 22,000 inpatients annually. The staffing shortage is particularly acute in maternity services, where roughly 7,000 deliveries occurred in the past financial year, averaging 22 per day, with nearly half requiring C-sections, further straining resources.
Despite the challenges, there is a glimmer of hope. Parliament has allocated additional wage funding for the current financial year, which is expected to enable the recruitment of 127 new staff. This increase should bring the hospital’s staffing levels closer to 32% of its approved establishment, potentially bolstering specialized services like intensive care and dialysis.
The committee also addressed concerns regarding expired medicines, including antiretrovirals, worth approximately Shs148 million. Dr. Aniku attributed some of these losses to donations and acknowledged temperature control issues in the medicine store, stating that air conditioning units are being installed to rectify the problem.
Furthermore, the hospital’s limited capacity for diagnosing and treating cancer necessitates referrals to national facilities. While an oxygen plant and CT scan are operational, dialysis services are still under development, with a dedicated facility and staff training planned. The mortuary facilities also require significant upgrades to meet current standards, and the disappearance of an ambulance is reportedly still under investigation.