Uganda Boosts Pediatric Surgical Training Through New Partnership

A new partnership between Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and the Emergency Children’s Surgical Hospital is set to significantly advance pediatric surgery and clinical training in Uganda.

The collaboration, overseen by the Ministry of Health, aims to address the critical shortage of pediatric surgeons and improve the quality of medical education. This initiative focuses on developing the human resources needed to provide specialized care to children.

Dr. Charles Olaro, the Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, highlighted that the partnership will offer invaluable practical experience to students, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. “The Children’s Surgical Hospital will offer something no classroom can fully replace,” Dr. Olaro stated.

Mr. Giacomo Menaldo, Country Director for Emergency, noted that Uganda is significantly below the recommended number of pediatric surgeons. He expressed optimism that this collaboration will be instrumental in increasing this number. The Emergency Children’s Surgical Hospital, established in 2021, has already conducted over 6,500 operations and serves as a regional training hub.

According to MUST Vice Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika Kibwika, the MoU will enable a two-way exchange program for both students and staff. This exchange will focus on specialized areas such as Paediatric Surgery, Anaesthesia, and Biomedical Engineering. “Our students will spend time here participating in direct patient care, while the hospital’s expert staff will visit Mbarara University and the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital to lead training sessions,” Prof. Byakika explained.

The partnership is also expected to foster collaborative research, leading to the development of new protocols aimed at improving long-term patient outcomes. This fusion of academic learning and hands-on clinical practice is poised to set a new standard for medical education in the region.

This landmark agreement was officially launched on Wednesday in Entebbe. For more details, refer to the Daily Monitor.