Surgeons in Uganda are seeking financial and logistical support to expand volunteer surgical camps aimed at reducing long waiting lists that have left some patients waiting up to a decade for operations.
The Association of Surgeons of Uganda (ASOU) organizes annual outreach camps in different parts of the country, where specialists volunteer their time to operate on patients with long-standing surgical conditions.
Dr. Frank Asiimwe, a transplant surgeon at Mulago National Referral Hospital and former ASOU president, said the initiative was launched after surgeons noticed a growing number of patients enduring years of pain while waiting for treatment.
“Some patients have waited for surgery for as long as 10 years,” Asiimwe said.
Although the surgeons provide their services free of charge, the camps often face shortages of essential supplies, accommodation and meals for medical teams.
Dr. Victor Kigoonya, a consultant laparoscopic surgeon at Kibuli Muslim Hospital, said the association is looking for partners to help cover operational costs so the camps can reach more patients. This year, ASOU aims to perform 3,500 operations and provide surgical consultations to 10,000 people.
The association selected the Buganda region after an assessment found a high number of patients living with untreated non-emergency surgical conditions.
The first of two annual camps will begin in September and cover 10 districts: Wakiso, Mukono, Kayunga, Buikwe, Kiboga, Nakaseke, Luwero, Nakasongola, Kyankwanzi and Buvuma. Operations will be carried out at 36 government and private not-for-profit health facilities.
Kigoonya said assessments conducted in April and May evaluated the capacity of each hospital to perform different procedures based on available equipment.
The camps will offer orthopedic, vascular, gastrointestinal, pediatric, ophthalmic and gynecological surgeries, including repair of childbirth-related injuries.
Hospitals identified with equipment shortages submitted their requirements to the Ministry of Health ahead of the outreach.
In addition to providing surgery, ASOU has introduced a School Health Programme, under which specialists will visit schools to screen children for health conditions that may require early treatment.
Uganda continues to face a significant unmet need for surgical care. National estimates show that only three in 10 people requiring non-emergency surgery are able to access treatment, leaving thousands to live with preventable disability, chronic pain and declining quality of life.
