The intervention comes as the hospital continues to handle a large number of children suffering from serious illnesses
By Rosemary Anena
Thousands of sick children treated at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital could benefit from improved emergency and critical care following the donation of specialised medical equipment to the facility.
The equipment, donated by Soleterre Uganda in partnership with Soleterre Italy and the Cuccia Foundation, is intended to address critical gaps in paediatric emergency and acute care at the regional referral hospital.
The donation includes a mechanical ventilator, patient monitors, oxygen concentrators, infusion pumps, a nebuliser, otoscope, pulse oximeter, blood pressure machines, vein compressors and digital thermometers.
The hospital’s Paediatric Acute Care and Paediatric Nutrition units will also receive support equipment, including food distribution trolleys, electric kettles, metallic flasks, water dispensers and notice boards.
The intervention comes as the hospital continues to handle a large number of children suffering from serious illnesses, including malaria, pneumonia, anaemia, septicaemia, sickle cell disease, upper respiratory tract infections and acute watery diarrhoea.
Maria Raffaella Palla, President of the Cuccia Foundation, said the support forms part of a long-term commitment by partners to improve healthcare for children and mothers in Northern Uganda.
She 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.” Palla said.
Hospital records show that malaria, pneumonia, anaemia, septicaemia, sickle cell disease, upper respiratory tract infections and acute watery diarrhoea conditions accounted for 5,417 paediatric admissions in 2023, 4,234 in 2024 and 20,778 in 2025.
The figures underscore the pressure facing paediatric services at the hospital, which serves more than two million people across the Acholi sub-region and receives referrals from neighbouring areas, including South Sudan and, in some cases, the Democratic Republic of Congo.
While receiving the equipment, Dr. Peter Mukobi, the hospital director, said the support reflects a good partnership that has contributed significantly to improving healthcare delivery in the Acholi Sub-region over the past two decades.
” 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.
“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.
Equipment aimed at emergency care gaps
The latest support followed an assessment by the hospital that identified shortages in equipment required to manage critically ill children and respond to emergencies.
The mechanical ventilator and patient monitors, for example, are expected to strengthen the hospital’s ability to monitor and support children requiring intensive care, while oxygen concentrators will increase access to oxygen for patients experiencing respiratory complications.
Infusion pumps will also support the controlled administration of medicines and fluids to critically ill patients.
According to hospital management, the intervention is part of a broader partnership with Soleterre and the Cuccia Foundation that has supported healthcare delivery in the Acholi sub-region for more than a decade.
The partnership has previously contributed medical equipment, infrastructure improvements, infection prevention and control interventions, water and sanitation services and 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.
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.
The collaboration between Gulu Regional Referral Hospital and Soleterre dates back to 2011, when the Equity and Health programme was launched.
Since then, the partnership has supported maternal and child health services through interventions that have included the provision of incubators, maternity beds and oxygen concentrators, alongside capacity building for health workers.
For the partners, the latest donation represents another phase of a longer-term effort to improve access to quality healthcare for children and mothers in Northern Uganda.
The Cuccia Foundation has also supported previous interventions at the hospital, with the latest contribution focusing on strengthening paediatric services and reducing the challenges faced by critically ill children and their families.
