Uganda Heart Institute sends more staff to US for skills

Mulago, Uganda’s referral Hospital is overwhelmed by the increasing number of heart related disease being reported.

Putting the blame on randy lifestyles, poor diets, smoking and genetic causes, Dr. Michael Oketcho assures patients that their capacity is being beefed up

 “But given our appalling ratio of one doctor to 18,000 patients,” said Dr. Oketcho. “A lot is still desired in the country where we have only four peadiatric cardiologists and the same number of surgeons.”

He stressed that parents should take their children for heart disease monitoring.

“If your child labours to breath, has low weight compared to its age mates and has chest infection,” tipped Dr. Oketcho. “The earlier the infection is detected the higher the chances of successful treatment.”

This was revealed at the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) Mulago while flagging off four professionals destined to the USA for a three weeks working tour. The bill of $34,000 is partly being footed by Rotary Club Kampala North and its counterparts abroad.

“The four comprise of Dr. Twalibu Aliku who is leading the delegation,” said Charles Lubowa. “He is the leader of the delegation. The others are Sister Ann Oketayot and Charles Wesala who are both laboratory nurses. And the last one is Daudi Kirenzi.”

trueRotarians promise doctors to continue working with the Uganda Heart Institute to save lives. Picture by Titus Kakembo

“This is the second batch of UHI Mulago staff having the opportunity to have a working experience in USA,” said Lubowa. “They come back better equipped with skills and knowledge.”

The project is code named Vocational Training Team (VTT) which involves a group of professionals travelling to another country to learn or teach their hosts lacking skills.

VTT is a worldwide exchange program enabling young professionals to develop their careers. This time round, the four will return equipped with better practices in the Cardiac Catheterization medical procedure.

The team from UHI is destined to Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH), Houston at Baylor College of Medicine.
 

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