Medicine for humanity, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) commended for organizing a successful 5-days urogynecology camp. The camp held at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital attracted more than 50 females with urogynecology disorders.
During the urogynecology camp, the MUST team was led by the Head of Department Dr. Musa Kayondo (PhD), a fistula surgeon and a senior lecturer at MUST. Dr. Musa Kayondo is also among Doctors that were mentored by Medicine for humanity. Other Doctors included: Dr. Rodgers Kaijabwangu and Dr. Kato Kalyebara Paul both fistula surgeons, the urogynecology fellows; Dr. Brenda Aniomugisha, Dr. Onesmus Byamukama and Dr. Saturday Pascal. These Doctors involve other residents to conduct mobile urogynecology camps across the country.
The medicine for humanity team was led by Dr. Christopher Tarnay, a Urogynecologist from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the President of Medicine for humanity and Dr. Shelley Oconnor, the Executive Director-Medicine for Humanity.
On behalf of the MUST team, Dr. Musa Kayondo thanked Medicine for Humanity for sponsoring the camps. According to Dr. Musa Kayondo, the camps have changed the lives of women in Uganda.
“All urogynecology camps that we have conducted in Uganda have attracted an average of 50 females sponsored full board by our partners i.e. Medicine for Humanity, Prof. Verena Geissbhler (st Claraspital, Switzerland) and Kroner Foundation in German among others. In Uganda, the major cause of prolonged urogynecology disorders is poverty, the people cannot afford the surgeries, medication, transportation to the hospital and all these are catered for during these camps” Said, Dr. Musa Kayondo.
This what the patients had to say:
Mary, 42 years.
In 2018, I was told I had fibroids and I underwent surgery in Kitovu Hospital Masaka, after some time, I realized my uterus was out. In 2020 I was told there was fistula medical camp organized by the Buganda Kingdom under the Kabaka run fundraising to fight fistula. I registered and I was worked upon. The team had doctors from USA and Uganda. I was told to go back for review but due to the lockdown I didn’t go back. My problem had not been solved.
In October 2021, I was referred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH). I was advised to come back in November there was going to be a camp after one month the problem reoccurred. In February 2022 I came back for review, I was advised to come for this camp. I feel much better, the doctors were so engaging, they took the trouble to explain every small detail. I was contented with the information I got thus giving me the confidence to consent for 4th surgery. They really cared for use everything was paid for, I have not used any of my own money. May our doctors be blessed for their big hearts for us. Who are we to make people fly from the USA, they could have used that money for something else. But them choosing to help us is so humbling.
Faustina, 29 years
I got my problem in May 28 2022, this was after I gave birth to my baby in this hospital and unfortunately, he died. That was not the only tragedy. I started having urine leaking all the time. I was told this a condition called fistula but it can be cured. I was discharged and told to come back in September that specialists were coming to carry out surgeries in line with my problem.
I am grateful because it is now 6 days since I had the surgery. I have not yet seen the urine again. May the doctors be blessed, I could never imagine staying with this problem for any extra day.
Grace, 42 years
I am from Rubare Ntungamo, I have had fistula for 10 years, I had never heard of this problem or encountered any woman who had such a problem. It started when I was giving birth to my 1st baby. He was very big I pushed a dead baby and still got a problem if urine leaking. I was at home I heard an announcement about the camp that was going to repair the problem. I thought I was going to be a lone to my surprise I found many people. It was a bit comforting that am not the only one. Since the surgery I have not yet seen the urine on my bed. My wish is to have a baby after this surgery I will give him or her a name of one of the doctors that worked upon me. About the surgery I am going to tell the world about this I will us the radio to testify about what happened to me it’s a miracle who am I to have about 10 doctors around me all caring and talking to me, I will give thanks in church, ask God to bless the doctors and give a testimony.
Jackie, 27 years
I had a C-Section in Rwekubo Isingiro Health centre IV, I got a problem of leaking urine. This was around June 17, 2022. I was referred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. I was told to come back in the first week of September for surgery. I was told specialists were coming and they were to cater for all my expenses.
I was worked upon on September 5, 2022 and since then, I have not yet seen urine leaking. Thank you doctors, may the good lord bless your hands, may you never luck anything, may you be blessed.
Miracle, 12 years
I come from Busia (Board of Uganda and Kenya) I had a swollen abdomen and I was taken for a scan in Nairobi, they didn’t see any problem. After some time, I was taken to jinja for a scan I was told that my menstruation blood was clotted inside that was is what was causing pain and the swelling. They referred me here; I was admitted to the ward of the late Dr. Situma. They told me, I needed surgery. They did and it was not successful. Was told to come back for the September camp. I am here with my daddy and all I wish for is to get better so he can go back to work and I go back to school. I am behind schedule in school because I have been out of school for long notwithstanding the COVID- 19 lockdown
I thank the doctors who worked upon me, I remember Dr. Anna, then a black doctor who had a strong English accent, but could also speak Luganda then, another Dr. who had a daughter on the crew, I think he is called Dr. Tonny.
How did you know he had a daughter on the crew? I heard her calling him daddy and he responded. The daughter was rubbing my hair telling me it was going to be fine then she would stand away, then Dr. Brenda and another lady who kept taking pictures her blue clothes were different from the rest of the tea and (Miracle laughs) Dr. Yong boy I saw his name tag his name was funny that is why I remember him.
Immaculate, 28 years
In 2021, I went to hospital and I was told the baby I was carrying was dead. He was about 5kgs. The doctors used instruments to remove him. After delivery I got a problem of leaking urine. This was so depressing. As I was at home, I had an announcement on Radio west, calling for all women who had my problem to come for free services of correcting it. It’s been 6 days since the surgery all was well but yesterday, I found a wet bed meaning the challenge has not gone
What if the catheter is out? Do you know the difference? Yes, I do but the leaking is still mild. even if I am not yet better, I still thank the doctors because they were caring they would explain to us in details what was happening and what was to be done. That is not common with so many doctors.