Ugandans are being encouraged to acquire expertise in handling critical situations in a concerted effort to enhance emergency medical services and ultimately save lives. General Katumba Wamala, the Works and Transport Minister, emphasized the significance of the first five pre-hospital minutes during an emergency incident, stating that it plays a crucial role in determining the outcome for the patient’s survival. This call to action came during the launch of Samaritan Health Systems Life Support Training in Uganda, held at the Protea Hotel in Kampala.
Wamala highlighted that the annual toll of over 4,000 lives lost in road accidents could have been significantly reduced with a more robust presence of expertise in the pre-hospital handling of victims. The Emergency Medical Service (EMS) system, according to him, plays a critical role in improving outcomes for patients facing medical emergencies and severe injuries.
Dr. Rosemary Byanyima, the Executive Director of Malago Hospital, stressed the need for ambulance crews to possess expertise in emergency healthcare, underscoring the importance of building capacity for handling patients before they reach hospitals. She cautioned against the misuse of ambulances for transporting deceased individuals.
Dr. Moses Kitakule, the director of Samaritan Health Systems Life Support, noted that despite the pivotal role of EMS, Uganda and many African countries have been slow in developing comprehensive EMS systems. Collaborating with the American Heart Association and Babcock Health Services, Samaritan Health Systems has initiated a training program aimed at improving the management of EMS cases in Uganda. The program focuses on cardiovascular emergencies and strokes, addressing the growing prevalence of these emergencies in Uganda.
Samaritan Health Systems, established in 2012, concentrates on strengthening the capacity of health workers at all levels and enhancing first aid capabilities at the household and community levels. The training program encompasses medical professionals and civilians, emphasizing proper assessment to facilitate earlier interventions. Over the past year, the program has conducted more than fifty pilot trainings across various health worker levels.
Dr. Kitakule emphasized that the pre-hospital space extends beyond the health sector, involving entities such as the Police. While Emergency Medical Services have been slow to take root in underdeveloped countries, the Uganda National Emergency Medical Services Strategic Plan aims to define the administration and service delivery system for EMS across all levels of healthcare. The plan encompasses obstetric, medical, surgical, pediatric, mental, and trauma emergencies, as well as medical care during disasters.
