Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) joined forces to provide free gynecological surgeries for people in Mbarara and neighboring districts from February 20 to February 24, 2023. The camp was funded by MedLend, a non–profit organization based in San Francisco, USA, and was led by Dr. Musa Kayondo (PhD), head of the Department of obstetrics and gynecology of MUST. The camp aimed to provide access to medical care and treatments to those who could not otherwise afford them.
The MedLend team, led by Dr. Michael Margolis, is comprised of nine medical specialists that have been working in Uganda for the past 15 years. Dr. Margolis thanked the volunteers from the US for their dedication to the camp and highlighted the fact that MedLend is a non–profit organization that collects funds to support developing countries. He also mentioned that they mentor local physicians in order to promote advanced and sustainable surgical practices. With pride, Dr. Margolis noted that he was able to train and mentor two Ugandan surgeons, Dr. Musa Kayondo and Dr. Njagi, who have now become even better than him. He concluded that he is content to retire knowing that he has trained the “best of the best.”
MedLend is committed to tackling the issue of access to medical care for women in Uganda, who face financial and logistical barriers to proper health care. Through providing medical missions, mentoring local physicians, and supplying medical care and supplies, MedLend is helping to give hope and support to these women and enable them to lead healthy lives. Dr. Magolis expressed his gratitude for MedLend‘s efforts, recognizing that it has made a considerable difference tinthe lives of many Ugandans.
Mr. Moris Muhire, the camp coordinator, stated that the number of patients attending the surgeries had been increasing year by year due to the success stories, full board sponsorship, and effective mobilization and coordination efforts. He explained that these efforts involved using local communication mediums such as radio stations, churches, and community meetings to reach both rural and urban areas.