Associate Professor Musa Kayondo (Head of department, Obstetrics and Gynecology, MUST) and Prof. Verena Alice Geissbuhler (Senior Urogynecologist, University of Basel, Switzerland) underscoring the university’s commitment to advancing specialized surgical training and enhancing women’ health.
Prof. Verena and Prof Kayondo, both leading figures in the field, are the vision behind the Urogynecology and Female Pelvic Floor Reconstruction Fellowship at MUST, a program designed to address the critical shortage of specialists in this vital area of women’s health. The esteemed visitors were warmly received by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Pauline Byakika-Kibwika, who expressed profound gratitude to both Prof. Verena and Associate Professor Kayondo for their dedication to expanding training opportunities in urogynecology. This is the first fully accredited fellowship to be offered by a University in East and Central Africa.
Professor Byakika highlighted the long-standing challenge of lack of specialists in urogynecology and fistula surgery in Uganda and the region, recalling that for many years, the late Prof. Francis Miiro was the sole practitioner in Uganda capable of performing these essential surgeries, primarily at Mulago National Referral Hospital. The prospect of more doctors receiving specialized training in urogynecology, particularly in government hospitals across different regions, offers immense hope and signifies a crucial step towards equitable healthcare dissemination across the country. As the Vice Chancellor remarked, “Knowing that we have more doctors training in this field restores hope to many women.”
Prof. Verena emphasized the global prevalence of urogynecological and female pelvic floor disorders among them fistula, pelvic organ prolapse, and other childbirth injuries, especially in the developing world. She pointed out that even in Europe, pelvic floor disorders are on the rise, particularly among women of advanced age. “Any kind of support, Prof. Verena stated, “would bring hope to women.”
Professor Kayondo shared compelling anecdotal evidence of the program’s impact, recounting the story of a lady who had suffered from fistula since before Uganda’s independence. Her heartfelt gratitude, demonstrated by her return days later to thank the team at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, underscored the profound relief and restoration of dignity experienced by those treated.
Recognizing the reluctance by women to seek care due to shyness, stigma, and long queues, Professor Kayondo explained their proactive approach of taking this specialized surgical service to different regions of the country and to lower facilities like Health Centre IVs. “Most women are unable to come to Mbarara or Mulago where these services are available due to the long distances they have to travel. We as MUST urogynecology department with the support of partners like the Else Kroner Foundation decided to take the service closer to the women in different regions of the country. Currently we do camps at Buyinja HCIV in Namayingo district, Nakaseke General Hospital in central Uganda, Lira Regional Referral Hospital in northern Uganda, Bwindi Community Hospital in South Western Uganda, and Jinja Regional Referral Hospital in Eastern Uganda”.
The Vice Chancellor commended Prof Kayondo for his direct and impactful engagement with women in need, specifically acknowledging the 500 women who benefit annually from his services across the country. In a testament to the university’s commitment to national development, Professor Byakika passionately appealed to Prof. Verena and Prof Kayondo to consider increasing the number of fellowship slots to four every year, underscoring this expansion as an act of “love for Uganda.” She acknowledged that the selection criteria for such a very competitive program might present a challenge, but expressed confidence in the department’s ability to identify suitable candidates.
This initiative strongly aligns with Mbarara University of Science and Technology’s mission: “To provide equitable quality and relevant education and Research with particular emphasis on Science and Technology and its application to community development.” By fostering specialized medical training in urogynecology and Female Pelvic Floor reconstructive surgery, MUST is directly addressing a critical healthcare need, applying scientific knowledge to alleviate suffering, and empowering communities through improved health outcomes. The program’s focus on training healthcare professionals who will serve in government hospitals across different regions exemplifies the university’s commitment to equitable dissemination of expertise and its direct application to community development.
