Uganda Introduces First National Guidelines for Medical Equipment Management to Improve Efficiency
Uganda Introduces First National Guidelines for Medical Equipment Management to Improve Efficiency
The National Medical Equipment Guidelines (2024) will standardize the procurement, use, maintenance, and disposal of medical equipment across all health facilities.
Many health facilities lack clear knowledge of the equipment they own or need, causing inefficiencies like hoarding unused devices, Stephen Ttendo Senyonjo, chair of the National Advisory Committee on Medical Equipment, said.
To tackle the problems, the Health Ministry developed the guidelines to:
🟠Standardize equipment standards at each healthcare level;
🟠Reduce duplicate purchases;
🟠Enable reallocation of idle equipment to where it’s needed most.
The system classifies redistributed equipment as either a "donation" or "transfer" under Uganda’s public procurement law, ensuring transparency, according to George Otim, Commissioner for Health Infrastructure.
Relocation is recommended if a machine serves fewer than 45% of its intended patients or remains unused for over nine months due to lack of infrastructure or staff.
The guidelines support Uganda’s National Health Policy, which focuses on quality care through affordable, sustainable technology and trained personnel.
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