The First Lady of Burundi, Ms. Angeline Ndayishimiye, paid a visit to the Children’s Surgical Hospital in Entebbe, Uganda, where four children from her country received life-saving surgery. The visit was confirmed in a statement released by State House, Entebbe, following Ms. Ndayishimiye’s courtesy call on President Museveni at State House, Entebbe. During the meeting, the First Lady of Burundi expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to her by President Museveni.
The engagement included the presence of Uganda’s First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Ms. Janet Museveni, and the Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng. Ms. Ndayishimiye also shared her earlier visit to the Children’s Surgical Hospital with President Museveni.
Dr. Aceng informed President Museveni that the hospital has performed over 1,700 surgeries. Currently, 17 children from Burundi are receiving treatment at the hospital, with four of them having already undergone surgery, and others prepared for the procedure. The hospital provides care for children from across Africa, specializing in gastrointestinal issues, urological cases related to blood and kidneys, and plastic surgery.
The Children’s Surgical Hospital in Entebbe began treating patients with special surgical cases in 2021. The facility is equipped with three operating surgical theaters and a 72-bed capacity for intensive care and emergency cases, catering to children with birth defects, genital and intestinal problems, and more. It represents the second milestone of the African Network of Medical Excellence, established in 2009 to enhance free, high-quality healthcare systems in member countries.
According to Uganda’s Ministry of Health, the country has a child mortality rate of 49 per 1,000 live births for children under five, with 30% of these deaths attributed to a lack of access to adequate surgery. Furthermore, there are only four pediatric surgeons in the country, as reported by the Ministry.
