80 get free surgery in Kibuli hospital

Oct 25, 2011

For close to 10 years Haruna Mukiibi walked with difficulty due to the complication in his abdomen caused by Hernia but on Sunday, after a 30 minute operation he was back to his feet.

By Patrick Jaramogi   

For close to 10 years Haruna Mukiibi walked with difficulty due to the complication in his abdomen caused by Hernia but on Sunday, after a 30 minute operation he was back to his feet.
 
 Haruna is among the 85 Ugandans who are set to benefit from a week long free surgery currently on- going at the Kibuli Muslim Hospital and Mulago hospitals.
 
The free surgery camp that opened on Sunday is conducted by a team of surgeons from Cairo University in Egypt and supported by an additional 30 doctors from the Association of Surgeons of Ugandan.  
 
Over 300 patients drawn from across the country have been camping at the hospital for that last two weeks awaiting screening.
 
 The Kibuli hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Mahmoud El Gazza said due to the time lag, only 85 people would be operated. “We got very many people from around the country but we shall operated 60 here in Kibuli while another 25 will be operated upon in Mulago,” he said. Asked how the 85 were selected, Mahmoud said they were selected on “first come’ first serve” basis.
 
 Most of the patients screened had Hernia, gall stones, appendices and goiter, a swelling of the thyroid glands. Others had uterine fibroid, and the un-descended scotrum
Prof. Mohamed Youssef the head of the Egyptian delegation told New Vision that they are using Laparoscopic surgical method that involves use of simple infusion.
“Unlike the other surgeries, Laparoscopic takes a short time, has minimal pain, and allows those operated to report to work quickly,” he said.
 
Prof. Dr. Ashraf Bakr, a senior surgeon from Cairo University that conducted the major surgeries said cost for surgeries such as Hernia, Goiter and uterine fibroid were so high for local Ugandans to afford.
 
He said it requires between $1500- 2000 (Shs4m- 5.6m) to carry out such surgeries in leading hospitals.
 
 “I wouldn’t have managed to get this surgery, I was waiting for death. But am glad that am now able to walk properly and am told I can even give birth again,” said Nansubuga Shamim who had the uterine fibroid.
 
Mahmoud said the free surgery camp is funded by the Republic of Egypt, Medical Arab Union, Patient Assistance fund Kuwait and Kibuli Muslim hospital.

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