In December last year, Mulago performed its first kidney transplant, bringing hopes to citizens who would have to endure heavy bills of travelling abroad for transplants.
However, on Thursday, Central Youth Representative Agnes Kirabo raised concerns about the cost of kidney transplants at Mulago, noting that the hospital charges Shs46 million for the procedure, an amount she said was untenable for ordinary citizens.
Responding to Kirabo’s concerns, Nabbanja reiterated that the Shs46 million was a media-generated figure and that the government has not yet established the cost of a kidney transplant.
“The Government has not yet set the cost and our plan through the Mulago team is to determine the price after more transplants have been made to get the right picture for the cost implication,” she said.
The Prime Minister pledged that after a thorough assessment of all that entails the entire process of kidney transplant and full recovery of a patient, a reasonable figure shall be derived and Ugandans shall be informed.
Nabbanja, however, expressed optimism that the first kidney transplant successfully conducted at Mulago in December 2023 by Ugandan doctors and experts from India, gives hope that the government is moving towards saving its citizens from the heavy bills of traveling abroad for transplants.
“The cost of running specialised services is extremely expensive and such services have been costing Ugandans over the US$18,000 on average excluding the cost of ticket and maintenance abroad,” she said.
“The success story of Mulago Hospital in correcting this health condition will save Ugandans from travelling to India and other countries for kidney transplant.”
Available data indicates that kidney disease in Uganda is increasing and is among the top 10 causes of death.
Data further shows that 21% of the patients admitted with chronic kidney succumb to the disease.
A life-saving kidney operation abroad is said to cost about Shs115 million, which is untenable for most Ugandans.