Uganda’s Ministry of Health destroyed COVID-19 vaccines, ARVs, and test kits worth Shs316.65Bn in 2023/24, which is an increase from drugs worth Shs33Bn destroyed in 2022/23.
The revelation was made by Edward Akol, Auditor General while handing over the 2023/24 annual Auditor General’s report to Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa.
“In the health sector, there are substantial challenges of expiration of medical supplies. Government had to write off Shs316.65Bn worth of CIOVID-19 vaccines, ARVs and test kits an increase from last year’s Shs33Bn. This represents a significant waste of resources that could have served other pressing healthcare needs,” noted Akol.
The Auditor General also warned that the situation in the hospitals requires urgent intervention and went on to reveal that Mulago National Referral Hospital’s ICU is operating only 15beds out of 27 which is just 56% of its capacity due to staff shortages.
“Critical equipment remains unutilized in several hospitals because of lack of trained personnel to operate them. The health infrastructure department of the Ministry of Health requires Shs20Bn annually for equipment maintenance but receives only Shs1.8Bn,” added Akol.
