Mbarara University of Science and Technology’s Faculty of Medicine, in collaboration with Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH), has acquired a state-of-the-art anesthesia machine. This significant advancement aims to enhance service delivery and medical professional training at both institutions.
Associate Professor Joseph Ngonzi, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at MUST, revealed that the Urogynecology/Fistula program at MUST received funding from the Hal family in San Diego, USA. This generous grant will improve access to urogynecology and advanced pelvic surgeries for Ugandan women. The initiative also seeks to enhance surgical training and increase the volume of surgeries performed by gynecology residents and fellows. As part of this program, high-tech equipment valued at $54,000 was procured from MINDRAY. This equipment will be used to upgrade one of the two obstetrics and gynecology operating rooms at MRRH.
L-R : Dr. Joseph Ngonzi an associate professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Deus Twesigye, Dr. Musa Kayondo
Professor Ngonzi emphasized the university’s commitment to supporting the department, including the extension of the high-risk obstetrics and gynecology ward at MRRH. He concluded by stating, “The best textbooks are our patients. We must treat them with dignity, as we are fortunate to have them.”
Dr. Musa Kayondo, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at MUST and Senior Gynecologist at MRRH, shared that the new equipment will not only assist in surgeries related to fistulas and urogynecological conditions but will also significantly enhance the training of fellows and provide valuable exposure for residents. He highlighted that this machine is the first of its kind in Uganda and will be instrumental in managing a wide range of surgical conditions, not just urogynecological ones. With its versatile functions, the machine has the potential to save lives.
Dr. Kayondo also expressed gratitude to the hospital administration, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, and the Hal family for their contributions to better healthcare delivery in Uganda. He recognized the important role of MRRH patients in the residents’ learning process and encouraged the staff to use the new machine responsibly.
Dr. George Wasswa Salongo, Senior Gynecologist and a lecturer in the department, praised the achievement, stating, “You have made us proud. We are striving to become a national referral hospital, and it is up to us to uphold that status. To the residents and fellows, I encourage you to keep improving—don’t look back, as there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Dr. Deus Twesigye, Acting Hospital Director, applauded the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for its innovation in seeking external support to improve the hospital’s performance. He expressed gratitude for the new machine and the strong partnership between MUST and MRRH.
The new anesthesia machine comprises:
- 1 A7 Anesthesia Machine with AG Module
- 1 Isoflurane Vaporizer
- 1 Sevoflurane Vaporizer
- 1 N15 Patient Monitor for the anesthesia machine
- 1 Operating Table
Aligned with its mission to provide equitable, quality, and relevant education and research with a focus on science and technology and its application to community development, MUST continues to make significant strides in healthcare.
