Country’s Top Surgeons Descend on Ankole for Life-Changing Surgical Camp

Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) administration and local legislators have today welcomed a team of Uganda’s finest surgeons and health professionals for a highly anticipated surgical camp starting tomorrow, September 22nd, and running until the 28th. Dubbed the Ankole Surgical Camp, this initiative aims to provide specialized medical services to the Ankole region and promises to transform lives.
Led by renowned surgeons, the 300-strong team includes specialists from various disciplines. Flagged off by the Health Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine, in Kampala, the team’s dedication to giving back to the community has been hailed as a beacon of hope.
Addressing the media shortly after arriving, Hon. Bataringaya, Chair of the Ankole Parliamentary Caucus, urged residents to embrace this opportunity. “With specialists distributed across health centers, transportation hurdles are eliminated. We’re grateful to the Ministry of Health and the surgeons for bringing services closer to the people,” he said.
Professor Dan Kisitu, Head of Surgery at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, confirmed that many patients have already been booked for surgeries. “Assessments will continue over the weekend, and surgeries will commence on Monday.”
Dr. Fred Bisso, an ENT Consultant at Mulago National Referral Hospital, emphasized that the team is capable of conducting all life-saving surgeries at no cost. Furthermore, Dr. Bisso noted that the camp will be a learning experience for young medical professionals under senior guidance.
Halson Kagure, Public Relations Officer at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, assured that the hospital has made prior preparations for the surgical camp. “Bookings have been done through our Outpatients Department, and we’ll closely monitor postoperative cases.”
Kagure further urged patients to seek accessible healthcare across Ankole region’s districts during and after the surgical camp, with referrals to MRRH for specialized care to efficiently manage the anticipated patient surge.
The success of this initiative is attributed to the collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the Association of Surgeons of Uganda, and local parliamentarians.