Bitature Hails CURE Children’s Hospital as Uganda’s Best, Challenges Hospitals to Benchmark on Service Delivery

MBALE — Ugandan businessman and philanthropist Dr. Patrick Bitature has described CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda as the best hospital in the country, challenging other health facilities to benchmark on its standards of care to improve service delivery.

Bitature, a board member of the specialised paediatric neurosurgery hospital based in Mbale City, said CURE had demonstrated exceptional standards in medical care, patient handling and customer service, making it a model for other health institutions to emulate.

He made the remarks on Saturday, October 17, 2026, while speaking to journalists during the 10th CURE Brain Surgery Run, an annual fundraising initiative aimed at supporting life-saving brain surgeries for children, particularly those from vulnerable families.

“CURE has the best services in this country, and I have always challenged Mulago Hospital staff and other hospitals where I am a director to come and benchmark here because the services here are incredible,” Bitature said.

He praised the hospital’s doctors, nurses and other health workers for their professionalism and friendly approach towards patients, emphasising that quality healthcare goes beyond diagnosing illnesses and administering treatment.

According to Bitature, patient experience and customer care are equally important components of healthcare delivery, particularly in specialised facilities where children and their families may be dealing with serious and life-threatening conditions.

He urged health workers across the country to adopt a more patient-centred approach, arguing that compassionate treatment, effective communication and professional conduct can significantly improve the experience of patients seeking medical attention.

Bitature Calls for Increased Government Funding

Bitature also called on the government to increase financial support to CURE Children’s Hospital, saying the institution’s achievements and the growing demand for its specialised services required more substantial investment.

He acknowledged that the government had increased funding to the facility but maintained that the allocation remained inadequate compared with the number of patients requiring treatment.

“I have already shared with the President and the First Lady about this facility being largely funded by government, and he was pretty positive. We shall keep pushing because, as much as we appreciate that government has increased funding, it’s still small compared to the demand here,” he said.

His appeal comes amid growing calls for increased investment in specialised healthcare services to ensure that children suffering from complex neurological conditions can access treatment without their families being overwhelmed by medical expenses.

CURE Children’s Hospital specialises in paediatric neurosurgery, including the treatment of children with conditions affecting the brain and nervous system. Its services have made it an important referral centre for families seeking specialised treatment in Uganda and the wider region.

Bitature's remarks highlighted the need for sustained partnerships between government, healthcare institutions, private-sector players and philanthropists to ensure that specialised medical services remain accessible to children who need them most.

Speaker Oboth Commends Hospital Staff

The Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Marksons Oboth, who flagged off the 10th CURE Brain Surgery Run, also commended the hospital’s management and medical personnel for their contribution to specialised healthcare.

Oboth disclosed that he had personally benefited from the hospital’s services, giving him an appreciation of the institution’s work and the commitment of its staff.

He praised the team for the care it provides to patients and recognised the importance of supporting institutions that deliver specialised medical services to children.

His remarks added to the growing recognition of CURE Children’s Hospital as a key player in the treatment of complex paediatric conditions, while reinforcing the need for continued support to sustain its operations.

The Brain Surgery Run brings together leaders, corporate organisations, health advocates and members of the public to raise awareness and mobilise resources for children requiring brain surgery.

Beyond the fundraising component, the initiative provides an opportunity to highlight the challenges faced by families seeking specialised treatment and to rally support for institutions providing such services.

CURE Records More Than 31,000 Surgeries

The hospital’s Executive Director, Tim Ericksen, revealed that CURE Children’s Hospital had completed more than 31,000 surgeries over the past 25 years, marking a significant milestone in its delivery of specialised paediatric neurosurgical care.

Ericksen described the achievement as a major accomplishment for the institution, which has spent more than two decades treating children with complex neurological conditions.

The milestone was also highlighted during the 10th CURE Brain Surgery Run, underscoring the hospital’s longstanding contribution to specialised healthcare.

The number of operations performed reflects the scale of the hospital’s work and the importance of maintaining the medical expertise, equipment and resources required to treat children with conditions that may otherwise be difficult to manage.

The hospital continues to rely on collaboration among medical professionals, government, development partners and well-wishers to sustain its services and respond to the needs of patients.

Minister Wanyoto Pledges Support

The State Minister for Public Service, Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, pledged to work with fellow leaders and policymakers to mobilise support for the hospital.

Wanyoto underscored the importance of CURE Children’s Hospital in providing specialised treatment in East and Central Africa, noting the need for leaders to recognise and support institutions that address critical gaps in healthcare delivery. 

Her commitment signalled the importance of continued engagement between healthcare providers and policymakers to strengthen specialised medical services and improve access to treatment for children.

Support from political leaders and policymakers remains important in advocating for increased resources, strengthening partnerships and ensuring that specialised hospitals can continue serving patients with complex medical needs.

Diffee Contributes Shs5 Million, Pledges Shs50 Million

Businessman and NRM Sironko Town Council Chairman Hajji Abdallah Diffee also joined the fundraising effort, contributing Shs5 million towards the CURE Brain Surgery Run. Diffee pledged a further Shs50 million towards the same cause next year, citing the hospital’s need for additional support to continue providing life-saving services to children.

He said his interaction with the hospital’s work had convinced him that the institution required a helping hand from individuals, business leaders and other well-wishers.

His contribution and pledge demonstrated the role that private citizens and philanthropists can play in complementing government efforts to support specialised healthcare.

The Shs50 million pledge, if fulfilled, would represent a substantial increase in his contribution to the hospital’s fundraising efforts next year.

A Call for Collective Responsibility

The 10th CURE Brain Surgery Run brought together medical professionals, political leaders, businesspeople and supporters around a shared objective of sustaining specialised treatment for children.

The remarks by Bitature, Oboth, Wanyoto and Diffee highlighted different aspects of the hospital’s work, from clinical excellence and compassionate patient care to funding, policy support and community philanthropy.

While the hospital’s record of more than 31,000 surgeries over 25 years represents a significant achievement, the continued demand for specialised treatment underscores the importance of maintaining adequate financial and institutional support.

Bitature’s challenge to other hospitals to benchmark at CURE also placed emphasis on the need to improve standards across Uganda’s health sector, particularly in patient care and service delivery.

For CURE Children’s Hospital, the anniversary fundraising event served not only as a celebration of its medical achievements but also as a renewed appeal for the partnerships and resources needed to continue treating children with complex neurological conditions.

The message from the event was clear: sustaining specialised healthcare requires more than medical expertise alone. It also calls for compassionate service, adequate funding, strong leadership and collective responsibility from government, the private sector and the wider community.