By Ben Musanje
Mulago National Referral Hospital has reached a historic milestone after becoming the first public hospital in Uganda to secure an Integrated Management Systems certification, marking a significant step toward raising standards in the country’s public health sector.
The certification means the national referral facility now complies with globally recognized systems covering quality management, environmental management, and occupational health and safety. The achievement positions Mulago among a growing number of health institutions worldwide that adhere to internationally accepted operational standards and accountability frameworks.
For a hospital that handles thousands of patients every week from across Uganda and the wider region, the recognition signals a commitment to delivering patient-centered care while improving efficiency in how services are delivered.
The certification covers three major international standards: The Quality Management System ISO 9001, the Environmental Management System ISO 14001, and the Occupational Health and Safety Management System ISO 45001. Together, the standards require institutions to maintain strict procedures in service delivery, protect the environment, ensure workplace safety, and keep clear documentation and reporting systems.
Health officials say the move is expected to boost public trust in the country’s largest government hospital while strengthening transparency and accountability in its operations. It also creates new opportunities for partnerships with international health organizations that often require institutions to meet global management benchmarks.
Gladys Kajura Baligonzaki, Mulago Hospital Senior Communications Officer says the certification reflects years of reforms aimed at improving internal systems, patient care protocols, and compliance with standard operating procedures. The integrated system now requires departments to work within a unified framework that prioritizes efficiency, safety, and quality assurance.
During celebrations to mark the achievement, Uganda’s State Minister of Health for General Duties, Anifa Kawooya Bangirana, urged staff to maintain passion and professionalism in their work to ensure the hospital sustains the certification standards.
She noted that the recognition should be seen as the beginning of a broader journey toward improved customer satisfaction in public health facilities. Maintaining international standards, she said, will require consistent dedication from hospital staff and continuous improvement in service delivery.
The minister also pledged to advocate for additional resources to strengthen the hospital’s operations, improve staff motivation, and increase staffing levels. The growing demand for specialized services at Mulago means the hospital must continue expanding its capacity while maintaining the standards that earned it international recognition.
She also encouraged other public hospitals across Uganda to learn from Mulago’s experience and pursue similar reforms. Benchmarking from the country’s national referral hospital, she said, could accelerate improvements in the wider healthcare system.
A key area highlighted for improvement is the adoption of digital technologies to streamline service delivery. Expanding electronic record keeping and reducing reliance on paper documentation would help improve efficiency, reduce delays, and strengthen accountability in patient management systems.
Mulago’s leadership believes the certification will help transform internal operations while reinforcing its role as Uganda’s leading teaching and referral hospital. With internationally aligned management systems now in place, the hospital is expected to enhance specialized healthcare services and strengthen its position as a regional center for advanced medical treatment.
For Uganda’s public health sector, the milestone represents more than an institutional achievement. It signals a shift toward globally benchmarked standards in healthcare management, an approach that could redefine how public hospitals operate and restore confidence in government-run medical facilities. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
