By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
Entebbe Children’s Surgical Hospital which offers specialized surgical services to children between 1-18 years, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mbarara University of Science and Technology so as to expose medical students to practical pediatric surgical skills.
The Director General Health Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Charles Olaro, who presided over the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 14, 2023, says that the agreement between the two institutions will greatly enhance practical skills among medical students majoring in pediatric surgery. He, however revealed that the MOU is mainly premised on developing healthcare Workforce.
“The MOU will contribute to competence of men and women who offer health services at every level. Mbarara University of Science and Technology brings a proud tradition of training health professionals that serve Uganda and a wider region,” Dr. Olaro stated.
Speaking to the media in Entebbe after signing the MOU, Dr. Charles Olaro, the Director General Health services at the Ministry of Health, said the MOU will provide practical skills for health workers across multiple domains adding that then Ministry of Health is committed to seeing the full implementation of the signed agreement between the two institutions.
“I encourage both institutions to invest mass energy in fulfilling the MOU. As government we remain committed to see full implementation of the MOU,” Dr. Olaro appealed.
The Vice Chancellor Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Prof. Pauline Byakika Kibwika, is hopeful that the MOU will provide a big opportunity for her medical students to get hands on skills by participating in the care of patients. She also added that the MOU marks the beginning of collaboration with Entebbe Children’s Surgical Hospital.
The Country Director Entebbe Children’s Surgical Hospital, Giacomo Menaldo, said the MOU between his health center and Mbarara University of Science and Technology is the first step towards a more comprehensive approach in training pediatric surgeons. On this note, he said more agreements will be signed with other universities like Makerere, Gulu and Islamic University In Uganda.
Giacomo revealed that in the last 5 years his health facility has operated over 5000 children with multiple health complications, adding that his health facility has three theatres with each theatre performing 4-8 operations every day.
