Kisubi Hospital has announced significant progress in its cardiac care services following the installation and utilization of advanced Catheterization Laboratory (Cathlab) technology.
The facility is now performing a range of complex heart procedures locally, contributing to the ongoing expansion of specialized healthcare services in Uganda.
In a statement, the hospital said the Cathlab has enabled its team to conduct procedures such as pacemaker insertions and interventional therapies that help address conditions including heart failure, blood clots, and heart attacks.
The hospital noted that the availability of these services reduces the need for patients to seek treatment abroad, where such procedures have historically been more accessible.
“Our team helps prevent heart failure, heart attacks, and blood clots, giving hope and healing to many,” Kisubi Hospital stated on its official social media channels.
Emerging Trends
The hospital also reported observations from recent assessments indicating a trend in which some heart conditions initially present with symptoms that resemble ulcers.
According to Kisubi Hospital, this overlap has led to cases where patients unknowingly receive treatment for ulcers over extended periods, while the underlying issue remains cardiac in nature.
“Many patients unknowingly treat ulcers for years, when in reality, the underlying issue is cardiac. We urge the public to be more vigilant—don’t ignore persistent symptoms,” the hospital advised.
One recent case involved a patient who collapsed while driving and was subsequently brought to Kisubi Hospital, where emergency medical personnel identified and treated an undiagnosed heart condition.
Growing Burden
The development comes at a time when Uganda is witnessing a steady rise in non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular illnesses.
Data from the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) shows that non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension, account for over 30% of all deaths in the country.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that roughly 10% of Uganda’s adult population suffers from hypertension, a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Health professionals have attributed the late presentation of cardiac conditions in many patients to low awareness, limited routine screening, and the misinterpretation of early symptoms.
Cathlab Technology
The establishment of Cathlab technology at Kisubi Hospital marks an important addition to Uganda’s limited number of facilities equipped to manage advanced cardiac interventions.
Previously, such services were largely concentrated at the Uganda Heart Institute in Mulago, Kampala.
Cathlabs enable physicians to diagnose and treat certain heart conditions using minimally invasive techniques, often reducing the need for open-heart surgeries and shortening patient recovery times.
Industry analysts note that the expansion of such services in Uganda has the potential to reduce the financial burden on patients who would otherwise travel abroad for care. Procedures performed locally are generally less costly compared to treatment in foreign facilities.
Kisubi Hospital, which has operated for over a century, continues to invest in specialized medical equipment and services across various fields. In addition to the Cathlab, the hospital recently acquired the Siemens Magnetom Flow Plus MRI scanner, making it the first facility in East and Central Africa to operate this particular model.
The hospital’s recent developments reflect broader efforts within Uganda’s healthcare sector to build local capacity for managing both communicable and non-communicable diseases, while improving access to advanced diagnostics and treatment options for the population.
