___________________

Lack of adequate medical equipment in government hospitals in the country is one among the challenges the medical sector is grappling with besides lack of enough human resources.

However, PROJECT C.U.R.E. one of the largest nonprofit organisations in the world that delivers medical supplies and equipment to developing countries, has come to the rescue of Soroti Regional Referral Hospital by donating medical equipment worth over sh100m.

The support came as a result of Dr Andrew Opeitum who is based in US visiting Soroti Regional Referral Hospital where his younger sister lost her life four years ago.

Some of the medical equipment donated. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)

Opeitum discovered that the facility was lacking some vital equipment to support the work of medical personnel in saving lives prompting him to write to CURE seeking help.

“We are very excited to celebrate the delivery of the medical equipment to Soroti Hospital. This project was initiated in 2021 following the passing on of my younger sister,” Opeitum said during a video call at the time the equipment was being handed to the hospital administration.

The equipment that was donated included an ultrasound sound scanner, oxygen concentrator, incubators, dental surgical instruments, general surgery packs and supplies, blood warmer, microscope, refrigerators, crutches, birthing gurney, blood drawing supplies, N-95 masks, bed linens and towels and syringes.

More lives to be saved

With this equipment, Dr Joseph Epodoi, a senior consultant who is currently the acting hospital director, promised that the medical team will utilise it to save the lives of people in Teso.

MP Aeku and other leaders looking at the equipment donated. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)

“We have the required skills to perform any medical procedure including kidney transplant but we are incapacitated by the lack of equipment. This equipment will help us, and we want to thank CURE for their love for humanity,” Epodoi said.

Last week Epodoi informed Vce-President Jesscia Alupo, who was on a site visit, that the facility was lacking enough infrastructure.

With the arrival of this equipment, Epodoi stressed the need for space saying they must squeeze the equipment into the small spaces in the facility that was built in 1926.

Dr Charles Okahdi, the district health officer, expressed gratitude to the donors for the support and called upon them to add more.

The Iteso living in the diaspora joined hands with support of their friends to meet the shipping costs. However, more three containers of medical equipment are lined up for shipping but the challenge is on shipping cost.

Soroti county MP Patrick Aeku, who was the chief guest, informed the meeting that President Yoweri Museveni has offered to support meeting the shipping cost of the remaining containers.

“The president pledged to meet the cost of shipping the medical equipment and as leaders we are going to remind him,” Aeku said.

He hailed CURE for their kindness in supporting developing nations with medical equipment.