A team of 400 surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, radiologists, administrators, and was flagged off over the weekend for the Ankole Sub-Region surgical camp. Moses Galukande, the president of the surgeons, mentioned that they estimate they will conduct 2,500 procedures in 25 health center IVs and hospitals, starting this morning for one week.
Galukande stressed that while surgery is the lead specialty, there will also be preventive aspects included. He noted that they will visit nine schools they have identified to screen for various issues, such as eye and hearing problems.
Dr. Diana Atwine, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health, explained that they have mobilized medicine from the National Medical Stores and other partners who have donated supplies. She added that they budgeted over a billion shillings for medicine to be used in this year’s surgical camp.
“This is an annual event; last year we were in the Lango sub-region and operated on about 500 people. This time, the number has grown, and next year they will choose another region, so it will be rotational,” Dr. Atwine stated.
She also expressed gratitude to the doctors who have sacrificed their time to extend their services to the poor at no charge, saying their efforts will be rewarded by God. Bishop Nathan Ahimbisibwe of the South Ankole Diocese also expressed gratitude for the surgeons’ endeavors to save lives in the Ankole Sub-Region.
He encouraged the doctors to embrace the “helmet of salvation” for the Kingdom of God. The doctors will be distributed across various districts in the Ankole Sub-Region, including Mbarara, Isingiro, Mitooma, Rwampara, Ntungamo, Sheema, Rubirizi, and Kiruhura, among others.
The camp has been supported by the Association of Surgeons, the Ankole Parliamentary Caucus, the Ministry of Health, and several other partners.
