Mbarara, (UG);- The Ministry of Health has shed light on the forthcoming massive surgical camp set to be hosted next week at Mbarara Referral Hospital and other district facilities within the Ankole region.
Dr. Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health has called upon patients in need of surgical procedures to seize the rare opportunity and avail themselves of the services, which will be free of charge.
Dr. Atwine said this has been made possible by the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Association of Surgeons of Uganda, an umbrella body that brings together surgeons, with support from area parliamentarians.
The camp which will run from 22nd to 28th September is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Association of Surgeons of Uganda and area parliamentarians.
Although the camp will be in every district within Ankole Region, Prof. Dan Kisitu, a Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH), said the latter will be reserved for complex procedures.
“This Surgical Camp brings on board skilled health workers with from different disciplines, bringing a unique experience to the patients within and beyond Ankole region,” said Halson Kagure, the Public Relations Officer at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.
Kagura added that arrangements have been made to sort out patients with complex cases from those in need of minor surgeries. Since last week, hospital clinicians have accessed hundreds of patients and recommended them for operation.
Kagure further clarified that the ambulance team will be on standby to evacuate those in need of specialized services from lower health facilities.
On Thursday (yesterday), the hospital had the last planning meeting, where it was reported that all teams, including radiology and imaging, laboratory, and biomedical, among others, were briefed to get prepared for the camp.
Among the services to be offered during the surgical camp over the four days include brain and spine surgery, plastics and reconstruction surgery, hernia repairs, eye surgery, and general surgery among others
On each day, Prof. Kisitu says the team of experience surgeons is ready to conduct over 50 surgical operations at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.
Mbarara Referral Hospital is one of the few facilities that conducts top-notch operations, and with the coming of the Ankole Free Surgical Camp, it serves as a relief to patients who have been struggling to meet the high costs required for operations.
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