Gulu Military Hospital | |
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Geography | |
Location | Gulu, Northern Uganda, Acholi sub-region, Northern Region, Uganda |
Coordinates | 02°46′57″N32°17′04″E / 2.78250°N 32.28444°E |
Organisation | |
Care system | Military |
Funding | Government hospital |
Type | Military hospital |
Affiliated university | Uganda People's Defence Force |
Links | |
Lists | Hospitals in Uganda |
Gulu Military Hospital is a military medical facility located in Gulu, the largest city in the Northern Region of Uganda. The hospital serves as a crucial healthcare institution for Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) personnel and operates within the broader healthcare network of the Acholi sub-region. [1] [2] [3]
The hospital is strategically positioned in the city of Gulu, in Gulu District, in the Acholi sub-region, in Northern Uganda, on the campus of the headquarters of the 4th Division of the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF), about 3 kilometres (2 mi) northwest of Gulu Regional Referral Hospital. [4] The facility is registered as a healthcare organization providing medical services to military personnel and their families. [1] [2] [5]
The hospital operates within a region that includes several other significant medical institutions. Gulu Regional Referral Hospital serves as the primary referral facility for the districts of Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo, and Pader. The regional hospital has been described as "a beacon of hope and healing" at the heart of Northern Uganda, established with a commitment to excellence in healthcare and serving as "a pillar of strength for the community since its inception." [6]
Other healthcare facilities in the area include St. Mary's Hospital Lacor and Gulu Independent Hospital, creating a network of medical services for the northern region. [7]
Gulu Military Hospital operates within Uganda's broader military healthcare infrastructure. The Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) maintains a structured approach to military healthcare, with the organization's mission being to "transform the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) into a modern, professional, efficient and accountable force. [8]
The hospital's location in Gulu reflects the strategic importance of the city as a military and administrative center for northern Uganda. The facility supports the UPDF's operations in the region and provides essential medical services to military personnel involved in various security and development activities in northern Uganda. [1] Recent events have highlighted the hospital's role in providing emergency medical care, including incidents involving military personnel requiring immediate medical attention. [9]
The hospital plays a critical role in providing medical services in the Acholi sub-region and contributes to regional health initiatives, such as the Gulu Cancer Registry. [10] As one of four hospitals contributing to the Gulu Cancer Registry, it collects cancer data from its wards and laboratories, aiding regional health research efforts. [10] [11]
The hospital’s infrastructure has faced challenges typical of Ugandan healthcare facilities, including aging equipment and buildings. A 2019 Ministry of Health report noted that Gulu Military Hospital was part of a rehabilitation project aimed at improving health infrastructure to deliver the Uganda National Minimum Health Care Package (UNMHCP). [12]