Uganda Cancer Institute Faces Legislative Scrutiny Over Delayed $ 32M Treatment Facility Completion

Legislators on the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament have criticized officials from the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) for the delayed completion of a new $32 million (UGX 20.429Bn) treatment facility, which has left patients struggling for space at the current facility in Mulago.

The project, initially scheduled to be completed in 2020, has faced significant delays. Nixon Niyonzima, Head of Research & Training at UCI, explained to the MPs that the delays were due to financial difficulties faced by the contractor, Roko Construction Company, prompting the Institute to seek a new contractor.

“Roko Construction Company submitted a request for an extension due to challenges such as COVID-19 and rising costs of construction materials. However, despite the extension, Roko failed to progress on the construction. Consequently, UCI notified the African Development Bank about Roko’s failure, terminated the contract, and recovered USD 2.5 million of the advance payment,” Niyonzima said.

Sarah Opendi, the Woman MP for Tororo District, expressed concerns about UCI’s capacity to fulfil its mandate as a centre of excellence for cancer treatment in the East African region. She highlighted the Institute’s ongoing struggle with space, which impedes its ability to generate revenue from a private wing that could support services for poorer patients.

“I am aware that UCI is struggling with space. If the expansion project had been completed on time, it would provide the necessary private facilities to generate additional revenue. As a regional centre of excellence, UCI should charge international patients for services, but this can only happen if there is adequate space,” Opendi stated.

Niyonzima informed the MPs that after terminating Roko’s contract, UCI requested the African Development Bank to allow the subcontractor initially hired by Roko to continue the work. This arrangement enabled the project to progress up to December 2022.

Following an inspection by the African Development Bank, the Government was advised to seek a new contractor. The recommendation was to directly engage the subcontractor who was already on-site, thus eliminating any further involvement of Roko Construction Company.

The USD 32 million project includes not only the construction of the facility but also the purchase of equipment and the training of staff. To date, 214 staff members have been trained in various specialties to manage the institute.

This development comes at a time when the Ministry of Finance is planning to secure 29 more loans valued at over UGX 18.7 trillion to fund various public projects. The health sector, particularly UCI, is set to benefit significantly with two loans lined up. The Government plans to borrow €8.5 million UGX 34.955Bn) for the establishment of a Regional Oncology and Diagnostic Center in Mbale, to be managed by UCI. Additionally, discussions are ongoing to secure USD 14 million (UGX 52.968Bn) to finance the ongoing expansion of UCI.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES