On April 21, 2023, a team of 10 scientists from the Bill Gates Foundation through the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) visited Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). The team was led by Derek Jones and was welcomed by Dr Jones Obungolochi, the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology. During their visit, the team collaborated with Dr Obungolochi and visited various departments at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH). Under the guidance of Dr Elias Kumbakumba, the Head of the Paediatric.
Dr. Elias Kumbakumba explaning the activities of the MRRH paediatric department to the visitors
Department at MRRH, the team toured the Pediatric department, oncology, and maternity ward to understand the healthcare needs of the community. They also visited the radiology and biomedical department of the hospital to learn about the current technology used in diagnosing and treating patients. Mr Eugine Bigimana briefed the visitors about the need for the Biomedical unit in the maintenance of medical equipment at a busy hospital like MRRH.
On April 22, 2023, the team visited the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Laboratory at MUST, where they were impressed by the work done by Dr. Obungoloch and his team. The visit provided an opportunity for the team to observe firsthand the quality of research and facilities available at MUST and explore potential collaborations in the field of magnetic resonance research.
Dr. Obungoloch expressed his gratitude for the visit, stating that “The visit by the team from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and ISMRM is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students to advancing medical research in Uganda. We are excited about the potential collaborations and look forward to working together to improve healthcare in our country.”
‘’This collaboration presents a tremendous opportunity to further advance our research in magnetic resonance imaging and its applications in healthcare. We look forward to this partnership’s potential impact on improving health outcomes for our patients and communities,’’ He added.
Derek Jones, leading the Bill Gates Foundation team, expressed his enthusiasm about the visit, saying, “It has been truly inspiring to witness the innovative work being done by Dr. Obungolochi and his team at Mbarara University. We are excited about the potential of this collaboration and the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of magnetic resonance research in Uganda and beyond.”
As the visit concluded on April 22, 2023, the team from the Bill Gates Foundation and ISMRM expressed their appreciation for the warm welcome and fruitful discussions with Dr. Obungolochi and his team at Mbarara University.
This visit marks an important milestone in the ongoing efforts to leverage magnetic resonance research for the betterment of healthcare in Uganda by Dr Obungolochi and underscores the commitment of the Bill Gates Foundation to support global health initiatives.