The Cuban government has pledged more support to Uganda especially in areas of healthcare.
According to news site http://risenewsug.com, this promise was made as a delegation led by Cuban envoy to Uganda, Dr. Tania Perez Xiques paid a visit to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital-RRH on 13th April 2022.
The team was welcomed and hosted by the hospital management led by Dr. Celestine Barigye, the hospital executive director who said this is historic.
“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 schools where other people can be trained to become doctors. The meeting between two heads of state yielded tangible results.”, Dr. Barigye said.
Improving health service delivery was under the NRM’s 1986 ten-point program; 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).
This was followed by the establishment of first medical schools in western Uganda and second in the country; 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 and what I am saying I know it”, Dr. Barigye added.
According to Mbarara regional referral hospital Public Relations officer Mr. Halson Kagure, the hospital currently serves over 1500 patients on a daily basis,from western Uganda and neighboring countries with over twenty specialized services.
Surgery department has grown not only in general surgery but also neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, pediatric surgery and now the hospital has commenced urology services – calling for Cuban medical professors to offer training to Ugandan doctors.
In her remarks, H.E Tania Perez 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 shaped various specialists now serving at the sister institution Mbarara regional referral hospital.
“This hospital is very important because it marks 48 years of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Uganda next month”, H.E Tania added.
On the other hand, she also urged Ugandan government through the ministry of health to identify areas of interest where Cuban government can support.