Patients requiring specialised brain and spinal surgery at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital continue to face challenges as the facility operates without a qualified neurosurgeon, hospital management has said.
Hospital officials say the regional referral facility requires at least three neurosurgeons to meet growing demand for specialised services.
However, it currently relies on a general surgeon who received on-the-job neurosurgical training at Mulago National Referral Hospital to manage complex cases referred from Busoga and neighbouring regions.
Speaking on Monday, the hospital’s Senior Executive Consultant, Dr. Alfred Yayi, said the current arrangement is inadequate.
‘We currently do not have a qualified neurosurgeon. The doctor handling neurosurgical cases is a general surgeon who received on-the-job training at Mulago National Referral Hospital. However, the hospital needs at least three neurosurgeons to provide quality specialised care to our patients,’ Dr. Yayi said.
The revelation comes after a 10-day free medical camp by specialist Turkish doctors at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. Patients who had been mobilised for neurosurgical services could not be treated because the visiting team did not include a neurosurgeon.
The camp was organised through a partnership between Jinja Regional Referral Hospital and a team of Turkish medical specialists, facilitated by former Jinja City Woman MP Ms. Manjeri Kyebakutika, among other partners.
It also provided an opportunity for 40 health workers to observe and participate in plastic surgeries and other specialised procedures as part of hands-on training in surgical techniques and the use of medical equipment.
Dr. Edwin Musinguzi, Senior Medical Consultant and Head of Surgery at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, said 2,323 patients were screened during the camp, with 100 undergoing major surgical procedures.
He said 300 patients also underwent minor surgical procedures and are responding well to treatment. Some have since been discharged to homes in the Busoga sub-region and central Buganda, while others remain under observation.
He said the Turkish team carried out reconstructive plastic surgeries, including removal of facial and neck keloids, and operated on patients with nerve and other tumours.
The team also treated patients with eye conditions and those requiring ear, nose and throat [ENT] care, in addition to performing hypospadias repair surgeries.
‘We are very grateful to the Turkish medical team for coming to support our patients. Many of those who had been referred for specialised care have received treatment, and some have already been discharged after successful procedures,’ Dr. Musinguzi said.
Representing the Minister for Presidency, Ms. Suzan Kulaba conveyed Ms. Milly Babalanda Babirye’s appreciation to the Turkish team for providing free specialised surgeries and restoring hope to patients.
She urged the team to strengthen its partnership with Uganda by offering training opportunities for Ugandan doctors, supporting knowledge exchange, and returning for future medical camps, including in Buyende District.