Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) staff gathered for a second memorial lecture to honor the late Dr. Martin Situma, a renowned pediatric consultant who passed away on July 21, 2022, after a battle with multiple myeloma.
The lecture, themed “Passion for Pediatric Surgery,” brought together health practitioners from MRRH and Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), where Dr. Situma taught postgraduate students.
Professor David Kitya, Head of Neurosurgery, described Dr. Situma as a dedicated professional who embodied the three pillars of clinical services: service delivery, training, and research. He emphasized the importance of balancing these aspects to ensure effective healthcare.
Dr. Felix Oyania, current Head of the Pediatric Surgical Department, credited Dr. Situma with laying a strong foundation and instilling a passion for serving with humility.
Colleagues remembered Dr. Situma as a respectful and disciplined individual who created a conducive working environment. Dr. Jonans Tusiimire, Deputy Dean at MUST, described Dr. Situma as a very intelligent man who was on the university’s research committee, praising him for training fellow super specialists.
Dr. Deus Twesigye, Senior Consultant Surgeon and Ag. Hospital Director, shared a personal anecdote about Dr. Situma’s early days at the hospital. Initially, some colleagues perceived Dr. Situma as a non-performer due to his late reporting to work. However, it was later revealed that he was negotiating for a nearby residence to facilitate his work. Dr. Twesigye noted that Dr. Situma’s dedication and hard work eventually transformed the Pediatric Surgical Unit, which was once nearly condemned, into a favorable infrastructure for managing children with malformations.
The late Dr. Situma is survived by his wife and six children.
This memorial lecture serves as a testament to Dr. Situma’s lasting impact, reminding us that achieving greatness doesn’t require decades of service, but rather a commitment to doing good deeds that will forever be remembered.
About the Author
Halson Kagure is the Public Relations Officer at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, a teaching affiliate of Mbarara University of Science and Technology and other medical institutions in Uganda.
