In a proactive effort to address Uganda’s pressing healthcare challenges, the Association of Surgeons of Uganda is teaming up with professionals from various medical fields including Anaesthesia, Nursing, and Laboratory to organize a surgical camp.
This event, scheduled to unfold in the Lango sub-region from September 10th to 15th, indicates a commitment to a comprehensive medical approach. ll services will be free of charge. Additionally, a symposium for surgery residents is planned for the 16th as part of the broader initiative.
The extended duration of the surgical camp suggests a comprehensive approach that extends beyond surgical procedures. Services such as general check-ups, consultations, diagnostics, vaccinations, and more are likely to be included.
Dr. Victor Kigonya, a Resident Surgeon at Kibuli Muslim Hospital and spokesperson for the Association, highlighted the significance of these surgical camps in reaching the rural poor who might otherwise struggle to access specialized medical care. He emphasized the focus of the camp on both minor and selected major surgeries that do not necessitate specialized post-operative attention.
Uganda currently grapples with a substantial surgical burden, with surgical ailments accounting for 40% of medical cases. This struggle is compounded by a scarcity of surgeons, with only 350 professionals catering to the needs of approximately 45 million people.
Many medical facilities outside of Kampala lack specialized services, leaving conditions that could be treated early to deteriorate until timely intervention is feasible.
Concerns arise among experts that delayed surgical interventions could drive Ugandans towards unverified herbal remedies, which claim to offer non-surgical solutions for serious surgical conditions. To counteract this challenge, the camp intends to deliver comprehensive surgical care to underserved populations.
Funding for the camp is sourced from diverse channels, including subscription fees and financial support from government entities like the Ministry of Health and the Lango Parliamentary Group. Corporate sponsors including City Oil, National Medical Stores (NMS), UMEME, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), and Bulamu Healthcare, alongside several pharmaceutical companies operating within Uganda, contribute to the initiative.
Dr. John Ssekabira, head of the pediatric surgery unit at Mulago National Referral Hospital, underlined the scarcity of pediatric surgeons in the country. With fewer than ten such specialists serving a population of 45 million, the demand for critical surgeries often leads to delays in essential procedures like hernia surgeries. Dr. Ssekabira expressed his concern that around 10% of newborns in Uganda annually require surgical attention, yet many lack access to timely interventions, resulting in preventable abnormalities.
The surgical camp, organized on a rotational basis across different regions, aims to enhance medical accessibility and awareness. This year, the camp will be held in the Lango sub-region, striving to make quality healthcare available to those in need.
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