Mulago National Referral Hospital has begun offering Uganda’s first-ever Cardiac MRI services, a major milestone in the country’s medical and diagnostic capabilities.
The breakthrough, announced on Friday, positions Mulago as the pioneer centre for advanced cardiac imaging in Uganda, strengthening its partnership with the Uganda Heart Institute and significantly reducing the need for patients to travel abroad for specialised heart examinations.
In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), Mulago Hospital confirmed the launch of the state-of-the-art service, noting that the new technology will redefine cardiac care in the country.
“Mulago has started performing the first Cardiac MRI services in Uganda. The state-of-the-art Cardiac MRI scan will support Mulago together with the Heart Institute. This will save Ugandans on costs incurred abroad while accessing cardiac testing services,” the hospital announced.
Medical experts say the new imaging service will enable accurate, non-invasive diagnosis of complex heart conditions, facilitate early detection of cardiac diseases, and improve treatment planning—especially for children and adults with congenital or structural heart abnormalities.
The Uganda Heart Institute (UHI), which continues to expand its research and clinical capacities, is expected to work closely with Mulago in using the machine for advanced cardiac assessments, surgical preparation, and follow-up care.
For years, Ugandans requiring cardiac MRI scans have had to travel to countries such as Kenya, India, or South Africa—often at high financial cost. With this new capability, Mulago officials say patients will now have access to world-class cardiac imaging at home, sparing families the burden of international medical travel.
Health sector observers have welcomed the development as a significant step toward strengthening Uganda’s specialised medical services and reducing outbound medical referrals.
The launch also aligns with ongoing government efforts to modernise national referral hospitals, expand diagnostic technologies, and enhance cardiovascular care at a time when heart disease remains one of the country’s rising health challenges. Mulago Hospital says it will soon release guidelines on patient referrals, availability, and pricing for the new service.
