The Cuban government has pledged more support to the Ugandan government especially in areas of healthcare.
This, after a delegation led by Cuban envoy to Uganda Dr. Tania Perez Xiques paid a formal visit to Mbarara referral hospital.
The team was welcomed by the hospital management led by Dr. Celestine Barigye, the hospital executive director who deemed the visit historical.
“In 1989, our president Yoweri Museveni visited Cuba to look for doctors to come and work in this country; so, in his talk with then Cuban president Fidel Castrol he was advised not to depend on importing doctors all the time but rather start medical school where other people can be trained to become doctors”, Says Dr Barigye.
Though this sounded simplistic, the meeting between two heads of state yielded tangible results.
The fact that improving health service delivery was under the ten-point program of NRM government, it didn’t take long for the former bush war General to turn his dream into reality shortly after meeting his comrade (late Fidel Castro).
“In 1989, our president Yoweri Museveni visited Cuba to look for doctors to come and work in this country; so, in his talk with then Cuban president Fidel Castrol he was advised not to depend on importing doctors all the time but rather start medical school where other people can be trained to become doctors”, Says Dr Barigye.
Though this sounded simplistic, the meeting between two heads of state yielded tangible results.
The fact that improving health service delivery was under the ten-point program of NRM government, it didn’t take long for the former bush war General to turn his dream into reality shortly after meeting his comrade (late Fidel Castro).
I am talking about the establishment of first medical schools in western Uganda and second in the country. This is Mbarara university of science and technology, a brain child of Mbarara referral hospital formerly known as Ankole hospital.
“In 1989 Mbarara university started with some Cuban Professors and for me I came and joined in 1991. I was the beneficiary of the Cuban professors who started a medical school so I am a pioneer student what I am saying I know it”, Dr Barigye.
Furthermore, Dr Barigye is optimistic that the Cuban envoys visit will bear more fruits in line with strengthening human resources such as training the country’s medics.
Apparently, Mbarara referral hospital which looks after over 1500 patients on a daily basis from western Uganda and neighboring countries has got over twenty specialized services.
A case in point surgery department has grown not only in general surgery but also neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, pediatric surgery and apparently the hospital has commenced urology services.
The above among other services call for Cuban medical professors to groom our own, the hospital boss noted.
Some of the female patients we talked to appreciated the Cuban government support but urged the government to increase the hospital funding adding that its now the “Mulago National referral” of western Uganda.
These pointed out the need to have a fully-fledged in vitro fertilization clinic at Mbarara regional referral hospital adding that it will minimize the cost of seeking services from Kampala.
In her remarks, H.E Ms. Tania Perez, the Cuban envoy to Uganda acknowledged the need to elevate Mbarara regional referral to a national referral hospital.
She expressed happiness that Mbarara university has continued to offer placements to Cuban expatriates that have in turn churned various specialists now serving at the sister institution Mbarara referral hospital.
STRENGTHENING UGANDA-CUBA TIES
“This hospital is very important because it marks 48 years of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Uganda next month”, Says H.E Mrs. Tania.
On the other hand, the ambassador urged Ugandan government through the ministry of health to identify areas of interest where Cuban government can
“Mbarara is important in the bilateral cooperation between Cuba and Uganda. We want to improve higher education and the health care system. It has been very important for us to identify many possibilities to enhance our bilateral cooperation…”, H.E Mrs Tania.
HALSON KAGURE
PRO, MBARARA REFERRAL HOSPITAL