Mbarara City – The management of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) has responded to news clips aired by TV West and circulated on social media alleging that negligence by hospital staff led to the death of a patient.
According to Deus Twesigye, the hospital's Acting Director, the management has noted the allegations with concern, extended its sincere condolences to the bereaved family, and sought to clarify the circumstances surrounding the case.
Twesigye explained that a 25-year-old female patient was admitted to MRRH on July 3, 2026, through the Medical Emergency Department in critical condition, with a history of chronic illness since infancy.
He said the patient was promptly attended to by the medical team on duty, stabilised, and transferred to the General Medical Ward the following day for continued treatment and monitoring.
"Based on the patient's clinical assessment and laboratory parameters at admission, there was no indication for a blood transfusion. Therefore, the allegation that she was denied blood is not supported," he said.
Twesigye noted that the patient remained under close observation by the medical and nursing teams.
"Three days later, her condition deteriorated suddenly, prompting the medical team on duty to initiate emergency resuscitation measures in accordance with hospital protocols. Unfortunately, the patient suffered cardiorespiratory arrest and passed away on July 7, 2026, despite all efforts by the medical team to revive her," he said.
Twesigye further noted with concern that some caretakers displayed inappropriate conduct and made violent threats against health workers, describing the behaviour as unfortunate. He urged the public to cooperate with healthcare professionals.
"Management is in the final stages of reviewing the claims aired in the news clips to determine the appropriate action, and we urge all the parties involved to cooperate with the ongoing process," Twesigye explained.
According to the hospital's Public Relations Officer, Halson Kagure, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital remains committed to delivering specialised, patient-centred, and comprehensive healthcare services to the people of South Western Uganda and beyond.
"For further inquiries, feel free to contact the hospital administration," Kagure said.
Out of the 17 regional referral hospitals across the country, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital remains the only regional referral hospital that has established itself as a regional centre of excellence, offering a wide range of specialised services, including oncology, neurosurgery, multi-specialty care, and advanced diagnostics, among others. MRRH is also reportedly second only to Mulago National Referral Hospital in the volume of surgical procedures performed.
Currently, MRRH serves an estimated catchment population of five million people, far exceeding that of many other regional referral hospitals. This is because it receives patients not only from the Ankole sub-region but also from other regional referral hospitals, refugee communities, and neighbouring countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi.
