Dr Mukobi, Gulu Regional Referral Hospital Director officially receiving the medicak items from Ssali the Soleterre Country Director. Photo by Rosemary Anena
Gulu Regional Referral Hospital has received a major boost in paediatric healthcare services following the donation of medical equipment by Soleterre Uganda to strengthen emergency and critical care for children.
The donation, made in partnership with Soleterre Italy and the Cuccia Foundation, includes a mechanical ventilator, patient monitors, oxygen concentrators, infusion pumps, nebuliser, otoscope, pulse oximeter, blood pressure machines, vein compressors, digital thermometers and other essential medical supplies for the hospital’s Paediatric Acute Care and Paediatric Nutrition units.
Other items donated include food distribution trolleys, electric kettles, metallic flasks, water dispensers and notice boards to improve patient care and support services within the paediatric department.
While receiving the equipment, Dr. Peter Mukobi, the hospital director, said the support reflects a partnership between the hospital, Soleterre and the Cuccia Foundation that has contributed significantly to improving healthcare delivery in the Acholi Sub-region over the past two decades.
“This partnership has gone beyond donating equipment. It has strengthened our infrastructure, improved infection prevention and control, supported water and sanitation services and enhanced our ability to care for children and mothers,” Dr Mukobi said.
Dr. Mukobi further stated that the medical equipment was provided after the hospital identified critical gaps in emergency and intensive paediatric care.
“We identified the equipment we needed most, and our partners responded. This support will significantly improve our capacity to manage emergencies, provide quality treatment and increase the survival of critically ill children,” he said.
He assured the partners that the equipment would be properly maintained and used to improve healthcare services across the region.
Gulu Regional Referral Hospital serves more than two million people across Acholi and receives referrals from as far as South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Continued partnership
The partnership between Gulu Regional Referral Hospital and Soleterre dates back to 2011 when the “Equity and Health” programme was launched to support healthcare delivery through provision of critical medical equipment, including incubators, maternity beds and oxygen concentrators as well as staff training.
Adrian Ssali, the Country Director of Soleterre Uganda, said the partnership is focused on strengthening maternal and child healthcare services.
“This partnership is built on a shared belief that every child deserves quality healthcare. Today’s donation is another investment in that vision,” Ssali said.
He added that the continued collaboration aims to improve access to quality treatment and strengthen healthcare systems serving children and mothers in Northern Uganda.
Statistics from Gulu Regional Referral Hospital indicate that malaria, pneumonia, anaemia, septicaemia, sickle cell disease, upper respiratory tract infections and acute watery diarrhoea remain among the leading causes of paediatric admissions.
The hospital recorded 5,417 paediatric admissions related to these conditions in 2023, 4,234 cases in 2024 and 20,778 cases in 2025.
Walter Uryek Wun, the Principal Administrator of Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, described the donation as a timely intervention that will improve patient care and boost the morale of health workers.
“Our health workers often operate under immense pressure with limited resources. Providing them with the equipment they need will enable them to save more lives and deliver better-quality care,” Wun said.
A mission to save children
Meanwhile, report from Raffaella Cuccia revealed that this support forms part of a long-term commitment by partners to improve healthcare for children and mothers in Northern Uganda.
Raffaella Cuccia, the President, said the latest donation builds on previous interventions aimed at strengthening paediatric services at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital.
“Today we mark another timely delivery of equipment, which has also been done several times in the past since 2010, the foundation’s commitment was driven by a desire to reduce suffering among vulnerable children and their families,” Raffaella said.
