Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital’s (MRRH) Surgery division has received a state-of-the-art anesthesia machine, valued at 200 million Uganda shillings. Donated by the Hal Tilbury family from San Diego, this equipment aims to enhance access to quality surgical services.
According to Dr. Musa Kayondo, Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the machine arrives at a critical time, addressing the department’s longstanding challenge of inadequate anesthesia machines.
“This machine is top-notch, a significant upgrade from our previous equipment. It will be used for a wide range of surgical procedures, greatly improving patient care,” said Dr Kayondo.
As opposed to other regional referral hospitals, Mbarara Referral Hospital performs complex surgeries nationwide, highlighting the need for such critical equipment.
The anesthesia machine delivers anesthesia, oxygen, and monitors vital signs during operations. Being a teaching center for Mbarara University of Science and Technology and other medical institutions, the machine provides hands-on training for medical students.
They will learn anesthesia delivery, patient monitoring, and various anesthesia techniques under senior supervision. Associate Professor Joseph Ngonzi, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, emphasized the machine’s significance, urging clinicians to safeguard the equipment.
Dr. Deus Twesigye, Acting Director and Senior Consultant General Surgeon, applauded Dr. Kayondo’s efforts and thanked the Hal Tilbury family for their generosity.
“This machine enables us to utilize all eight operating theaters, functional day and night.”
Dr. Twesigye highlighted the machine’s impact on patient care, including improved safety, better patient outcomes, and enhanced comfort. Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital offers comprehensive specialized and super-specialized services, performing a high volume of surgeries next to the country’s oldest Mulago National Referral Hospital despite facing resource constraints.
The hospital’s Public Relations Officer Halson Kagure notes that over time, the number of patients seeking services at the hospital has grown by leaps and bounds as figures indicate that it now serves over five million people, including referrals from other regional hospitals, refugee communities, and neighboring countries.
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