EAC medical council inspects King Ceasor University

___________

The East African Community Medical and Dental Practitioners Council has noted improvements in the operations of King Ceasor University School of Medicine and its teaching hospital following an inspection.

The inspection team, which included professors and doctors from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), reported significant progress in the university’s laboratories, with the pharmacology lab being particularly outstanding.

The team, led by Prof. David Ngassapa, chairperson of the Medical Council of Tanganyika, was also impressed by improvements in the anatomy laboratory, where they found the recommended tables from the previous inspection.

Releasing the preliminary findings of report after the inspection of the University last week, Ngassapa remarked that they had found appropriate stainless steel tables, replacing the wooden ones. 

The team also noted that the number of students per table was now appropriate and said further details would be provided in the final report.

The university has also improved staff recruitment, with qualified heads of departments appointed. Additionally, clinical staff in surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and internal medicine have been recruited.

During the previous inspection in February 2020, the council had recommended expanding the library space and improving its ventilation and lighting.

The team observed improvements in the library, now well-equipped with the latest books and expanded to 710 square meters.

In terms of teaching hospitals, the inspection team noted that the university had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with three institutions, including Mulago, Kawempe and Kiruddu National Referral Hospitals, which are now training its students.

Currently, the university has about 668 students, with about 321 graduates from the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) programme since the first graduation in February 2020.

The university operates a sick bay staffed by a medical officer and a full-time nurse.

However, emergency cases are referred to Wentz Medical Center for further management.

Prof. Joel Okullo, the chairperson of the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council (UMDPC), mentioned that he had held several meetings with Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, who is also chairperson of the board of directors of the university, to discuss ways to improve the institution's standards.

Areas needing improvement

The inspection team recommended establishing more departments in line with East African Community guidelines.

They also highlighted the need for increased research and suggested that the university encourage staff to engage in research to facilitate their professional growth and promotion.

Another issue was accommodation, as the team learnt that students, particularly clinical students who work in hospitals day and night, lacked nearby housing. The council recommended that the university provide accommodation close to the hospital for senior or clinical students.

Ngassapa further noted that the staff need to be educated on promotion policies, as some might think they will be promoted based solely on years of service.

Dr Charity Basaza Mulenga, the university's Vice Chancellor, on Thursday expressed satisfaction with the council's recognition of their improvements. "Now that we have established a good working relationship with the council, we are confident that we can consult them whenever we encounter challenges," she said.

Ngassapa said more details will be included in the final report because it has to be submitted to the East African Community headquarters.

Prof. Charles Mondo, Dean of the School of Medicine, however, highlighted the difficulty of attracting and retaining staff with PhDs, as required by regulations, due to the associated costs. He also pointed out the high cost of laboratory equipment.