Health 26 August 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Uganda Cancer Institute Boosts Diagnostic Capabilities with Korean Donation
The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has received a significant donation of advanced diagnostic and surgical equipment from the Republic of Korea, aiming to close critical care gaps and enhance cancer detection and treatment across the country. Source: https://observer.ug/news/new-surgical-armour-arrives-at-cancer-institute
Patients seeking gastrointestinal scans at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) will no longer face the disappointment of being turned away due to a lack of essential equipment. A substantial donation of high-definition video endoscopes, surgical sets, and specialized screening tools has arrived from the Republic of Korea, bolstering UCI’s capacity for diagnosis and treatment.
This initiative is part of the third year of the National Cancer Capacity Management Project (CANCAP-UG), a collaborative effort between UCI, the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), and the South Korean government. The project is designed to strengthen Uganda’s long-term health infrastructure.
Dr. Nixon Niyonzima, a Senior Oncologist at UCI, highlighted the institute’s commitment to becoming a center of excellence, stating, “Our goal at the Cancer Institute… is to truly make the Uganda Cancer Institute the center of excellence, such that no one can come… and go away because the Cancer Institute doesn’t have specific equipment or can’t do a specific procedure.”
The donation includes equipment specifically targeting cervical cancer, a major concern for Ugandan women. Radical hysterectomy surgical sets, portable ultrasound machines with biopsy guides, HPV DNA test cartridges, and Pap smear kits are among the items to facilitate early detection of pre-cancerous lesions. Additionally, autoclave sterilizing units and audiometry screening tools will enhance infection control.
Juwang Baik, Country Director of KOFIH Uganda, stressed the importance of training alongside equipment provision. South Korean specialists are currently training Ugandan healthcare professionals at UCI and regional centers to ensure effective utilization of the new technology.
This expanded capacity aims to decentralize specialized cancer services, reducing the burden of travel for patients in remote areas. As the equipment is distributed, the focus remains on ensuring immediate public access to diagnostic tools, preventing delays in patient care due to equipment shortages.
Source: The Observer (Uganda)