The renaissance of excellence: re-establishing good management in a devastated teaching hospital

An institutional development team of four technical advisers has been working at Mulago Hospital, the 1440-bed National Teaching and Referral Hospital, since 1983 to assist the hospital to re-establish working management systems, drug and supplies procurement arrangements and an engineering maintenance service. The hospital was in poor shape at the beginning of the project, but has improved over time. The Team works with counterparts to advise, coach, train, facilitate and support their development. External factors have contributed to the progress made, but the Team's contribution included long term availability in the hospital, the sustainable nature of the counterpart relationship, practical and material assistance, and access to outside charitable funds.