Brief History of Emergency Medicine
The Emergency Medicine program at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) boasts a rich history, intrinsically linked to the dedication of Dr. Derek Harborne. Dr. Harborne played a pivotal role in establishing the program, laying the foundation for its future success by:
- Establishing the Department: In 2018, the Department of Emergency Medicine officially opened its doors, marking a significant step for MUST.
- Developing Curriculum: Dr. Harborne‘s expertise went into crafting the curriculum for the Master of Medicine (MMED) program in Emergency Medicine, the first of its kind to be recognized in Uganda (2017).
- Expanding Training: A Diploma in Emergency Medicine was also introduced alongside the MMED program, catering to Diploma Nurses and Clinical Officers.
Recognizing the critical need for specialized emergency care in Uganda, Dr. Harborne spearheaded the program’s development. His vision aligned perfectly with MUST’s mission, which aspires to be a centre of Academic and Professional Excellence in Science and Technology. Further emphasizing this commitment, the University’s mandate underscores its dedication to promoting quality higher education for national integration and development through teaching of science and technology for promotion of the political, economic and social development of Uganda and the needs aspirations of the Republic of Uganda.
Dr. Harborne’s foresight ensured the program’s sustainability by identifying Dr. Prisca Kizito as his successor. This ensured a smooth transition of leadership and continued the program’s growth trajectory.
It’s important to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of Seed Global Health. Their collaboration with Dr. Harborne which began with Dr. Harry Chen’s involvement as a Seed Educator, has been instrumental in the program’s success. Thankfully, Seed Global Health’s support continues to this day.
The Emergency Medicine program at MUST stands as a testament to Dr. Harborne’s vision and the collaborative efforts of dedicated professionals. Building upon a strong foundation, the program is well-positioned to continue producing highly qualified emergency medicine specialists who will serve the critical healthcare needs of Uganda.
The new face of Emergency Medicine
Mbarara University of Science and Technology proudly celebrated the inauguration of its new Emergency Medicine block. This collaborative effort, led by MUST, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH), and Seed Global Health aims to revolutionize emergency care by training and producing quality emergency care professionals who will ultimately significantly improve emergency care in Uganda and Africa at large.
The event brought together distinguished guests including Dr. Harry Chen, a physician educator at Seed Global Health and a visiting faculty for Emergency Medicine MUST, Dr. Vincent Oketcho the Chairperson Seed Global Health Advisory Board, Dr. Donna Kabatesi Seed Global Health Advisory Board Member, Dr. Brian Agaba representing the Country Director Seed Global Health, and representatives from the Ugandan Ministry of Health(MOH): Dr. Richard Mugahi, Assistant Commissioner Reproductive and Infant Health and Dr. John Baptist Waniaye Commissioner of Emergency Medical Services Uganda, who was the chief guest.
From MUST, the ceremony included Assoc. Prof. Charles Tushabomwe-Kazooba, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Mr. Melchoir Byaruhanga, University Secretary, Dr. Celestine Barigye, Hospital Director, Dr. Francis Oriokot, Deputy Hospital Director, Dr. Jonans Tusiimire, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, and other esteemed faculty, staff members and Emergency Medicine residents. Dr. Prisca Kizito, Head of the Department of Emergency Medicine, served as the event host, with Ms. Angella Nakato the University Public Relations Officer and Dr. Daniel Olinga a lecturer in the department of Emergency Medicine MUST as mistress and master of ceremonies respectively.
The celebration commenced with a hospital tour led by Dr. Francis Oriokot, highlighting the critical need for enhanced emergency care facilities. Dr. Oriokot expressed his sincere gratitude to MUST and the Ministry of Health for their partnership and to Seed Global Health for their continuous support specifically in the Emergency Department of MRRH.
Dr. Kizito then guided the tour through the Emergency Department MRRH, showcasing the different areas within the department which include triage, resuscitation bay, and medical and surgical wards. The occasion was made more memorable when the ReAct team led by the Area Manager of the Emergency Department of MRRH, Sr. Charity Kwarikunda received a new resuscitation bag from MOH in partnership with Seed Global Health.
Following the tour, the official commissioning of the new building took place. The chief guest Dr. Diana Atwine Permanent Secretary MOH represented by Dr. John Baptist Waniaye, led the ceremony, assisted by Dr. Harry Chen, Assoc. Prof. Charles Tushaboomwe Kazooba, and other esteemed guests.
A guided tour of the new block, led by Dr. Prisca and the Emergency Medicine residents, showcased its advanced facilities. The tour included a gallery walk that showcased the journey of Emergency Medicine since inception, the state of Emergency Medical Services in South Western Uganda, the impact of triage on 24 hour mortality rates in the MRRH ED and the initiatives of student led Emergency Medicine support groups.
In her remarks, Dr. Prisca expressed her elation at the building’s completion. She extended her gratitude to all partners for their unwavering support and presence at the event. She emphasized the building’s purpose: to provide a conducive teaching and learning environment for Emergency Medicine residents as well as host office space for the department’s faculty.
In his speech, Dr. Celestine Barigye, the Hospital Director, acknowledged the Ministry of Health’s presence and expressed his appreciation to Seed Global Health for their continued support of MUST and MRRH.
Representing the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Jonans echoed the appreciation for the Ministry of Health, Seed Global Health, and the Emergency Medicine faculty. He highlighted the new structure as a call to action for the Faculty of Medicine, emphasizing the importance of dedicated space for each department within the Faculty.
The University Secretary, Mr. Melchoir Byaruhanga, commended the Faculty of Medicine, particularly Dr. Prisca, for her perseverance in advocating for the building’s completion. He further expressed his appreciation to the hospital team for their support of the Emergency Medicine department.
Dr. Harry Chen, the first physician educator from Seed Global Health to MUST and a visiting faculty for Emergency Medicine MUST, expressed his satisfaction with the completed project and reiterated Seed Global Health’s commitment to continued support for the department. He shared a brief history of their collaboration with the Emergency Medicine department and their ongoing partnership, the collaboration with Emergency Medicine and his recurrent visits.
Dr. Brian Agaba, representing Seed Global Health, commended Dr. Kizito and her team for their exceptional work in enhancing emergency care through education and service provision, pledging continued support for the Emergency Medicine department. Dr. Vincent Oketcho, Chairman of the Seed Global Health Advisory Board, praised Dr. Kizito’s leadership and coordination efforts, emphasizing Seed Global Health’s commitment to supporting MUST and MRRH. These speeches collectively underscored the crucial role of collaboration in advancing emergency medicine education and care in Uganda.
Chief guest and Commissioner EMS Dr. Waniaye emphasized the urgency for MRRH to hire more EM physicians and urged MUST to continue recruiting EM lecturers as the production of EM physicians is just beginning. He also mentioned MOH’s plans to introduce a Type C ambulance for critically ill patients in Mbarara.
A brief about Seed Global Health as a Pillar of Support to EM
Seed Global Health’s interest is a future in which every country has a robust health workforce that is able to meet the health needs of its population through educating a rising generation of health professionals and health educators, bolstering the pipeline of healthcare providers who have local knowledge and deep ties to the region. As such, Seed provides support through provision of equipment, supplies, staff development and skills enhancement.
Seed has played a pivotal role in advancing emergency medicine (EM) at MUST by providing essential equipment, furniture, and staffing support. Additionally, Seed has facilitated comprehensive training programs for clinical workers, both for MRRH and MUST, empowering them with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver high-quality emergency care. This multifaceted support underscores Seed’s commitment to strengthening EM services and underscores the breadth of their contribution to the partnership’s success.
The Seed Global Health and Mbarara University of Science and Technology partnership is currently in its fifth year, and it continues to thrive. The specific shared goal of this collaboration is to ensure that by 2025, graduates of emergency medicine from Mbarara University Science and Technology, along with the current clinical staff at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, practice and advocate for the full spectrum of high-quality emergency care. As we look ahead, we are committed to furthering this impactful partnership for the benefit of the community, anticipating its renewal for another five years of collaboration and progress beyond 2025.
The Emergency Medicine program at MUST stands as a testament to Dr. Harborne’s vision and the collaborative efforts of dedicated professionals. His legacy has been carried on with respect and honor, by the current leaders in the University and the Hospital. Building upon a strong foundation, the program is well-positioned to continue producing highly qualified emergency physicians who will serve the critical healthcare needs of Uganda and beyond.
Succeed we MUST