The Ministry of Health has rolled out a week-long surgical camp in West Nile, aiming to provide life-changing operations and medical care to at least 2,000 patients across the region. The outreach will cover districts including Yumbe, Arua, Adjumani, Moyo, and Nebbi, bringing specialists closer to communities that often struggle to access surgical services.
Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine, who presided over the launch, explained that the initiative will focus on both major and minor operations while also screening schoolchildren for eye and other conditions that frequently go undiagnosed. “Our experts will be stationed in every district for a week, ensuring that patients receive timely care,” she said, adding that advanced cases will be referred to referral hospitals while less complex procedures will be handled at local health facilities.
Director General of Health Services, Dr. Charles Olaro, noted that the demand for surgical care in Uganda remains high, citing maternal complications such as caesarean deliveries and the growing number of accident victims. He stressed that without affordable interventions; families are forced to seek expensive private care or endure long waiting times.
Koboko Municipality MP and Chairperson of Parliament’s Health Committee, Dr. Charles Ayume, welcomed the camp but called for a sustainable model. He urged government to include surgical outreaches in the national health budget, warning that reliance on occasional camps leaves many patients unattended for long periods.
The outreach is being conducted in partnership with the Association of Surgeons of Uganda, Rotary District 9213, and local district health teams. Rotary District Governor Geoffrey Martin Kitakule praised the collaboration, saying it demonstrates the power of volunteerism but emphasized that long-term government funding is vital for continuity.
With fewer than one surgeon per 100,000 people, Uganda faces a critical shortage of specialists. For residents of West Nile, the camp represents not only immediate relief but also a glimpse of how integrated surgical care could transform healthcare access in rural communities.