A team of three senior medics from the United States, led by Dr. Peter Maede, a consultant general surgeon, recently assessed the healthcare services offered at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. The team, currently based at Nyakibale Hospital in Runungiri, consisted of experts in obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, and anesthesia.
During their guided tour, they visited various departments, including Radiology, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), the Oxygen Plant, Intensive Care Unit, and the operating theater.
Dr. Deus Twesigye, Senior Consultant General Surgeon and Acting Director of the hospital, explained to this publication that Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital is a one-stop center for many referrals from southwestern Uganda and neighboring countries.
This is due to the availability of both super-specialized and specialized services offered. He added that general services are free of charge, while specialized and super-specialized services are charged at a highly subsidized fee.
Dr. Maede expressed his impression with the healthcare services offered at the hospital, stating that they intend to refer patients to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. This statement demonstrates an unwavering commitment to saving lives.
In an exclusive interview, Halson Kagure, the Mbarara Referral Hospital’s Public Relations Officer, revealed that the hospital is open to collaboration aimed at changing the lives of both Ugandans and non-Ugandans.
He added that the facility has become a one-stop medical tourism center, offering services comparable to those at other national referral hospitals. “We are setting the trend in healthcare service delivery, and I am confident that with adequate resources, we can bring even broader smiles to our clients,” he said.
The hospital administration acknowledges that some patients, particularly those with complex cases, face challenges accessing services due to the lack of special drugs, which are not always supplied by the National Medical Stores.
Notably, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital serves as a teaching center of Mbarara University of Science and Technology and other medical schools, providing hands-on training and exposure to real-world healthcare scenarios under the strict guidance of experienced medics.
