📷 Second organ transplant centre unveiled

Ugandans, who have been travelling abroad to undergo organ transplants, can now undergo surgery locally, after the unveiling of a second organ transplant centre.

The new center at Rubaga Hospital in Kampala, aims to provide kidney and liver transplant services.

Dr Rita Moser Transplant Center before commissioning. Photos by Mpalanyi Ssentongo

Hospital executive director Dr Julius Luyimbazi says the centre is expected to offer affordable options for patients who previously had to travel abroad for transplants, saving on costs.

Luyimbanzi says they will collaborate with partner institutions in India and Turkey in ensuring high-quality services.

The new organ transplant centre is the second in Uganda after the one at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala.

Prof. Frank Asiimwe President of the Association of Surgeons Of Uganda.

Requirements

Health ministry director general health services Dr Henry Mwebesa, while commissioning the centre said the law puts very stringent requirements for a hospital's transplant centre to be accredited.

The Director General of Health services, MoH Dr Henry Mwebesa (left) with the Most. Rev. Paul ssemogerere, Archbishop of Kampala during the Specialist Center site visit before the commissioning of Dr Rita Moser Transplant center at Lubaga Hospital on Monday.

He added that the applying hospital must satisfy the council that it has in place the minimum infrastructure and personnel requirement. For instance, the hospital must have a dedicated Intensive Care Unit for transplant activities, at least two adjacent theatres, one for the donor and another for the recipient, radiology and imaging capability and 24-hour laboratory service covering the full range of tests necessary for transplant surgery, among others.

L-R: Prof. Frank Asiimwe President of the Association of Surgeons of Uganda, Dr. Henry Mwebesa, Director General of Health services MoH, Prof. Patrick Kyamanywa, the new Lubaga Hospital Board chairperson and Dr.Michael Okello, Chief surgeon, Lubaga Hospital during an inspection tour of the post-anesthetic care unit at the commissioned Dr Rita Moser Transplant center at Lubaga hospital on Monday.

Dr Micheal Okello, a liver transplant surgeon, said they will conduct the surgeries with the trained teams and will also partner with their teachers to conduct liver transplants.

Dr Julius Luyimbazi, Ed Lubaga Hospital addressing journalists.

Kampala Catholic Archbishop Paul Ssemwogerere said the setting up of an organ transplant at Rubaga Hospital is a milestone for Uganda, and added that he is confident that every Uganda will get the opportunity to get services locally.

Ssemwogerere said that organ transplant should cater for the rich, but also those who can afford moderate fees should acquire functioning organs from reliable organ donors. 

The organ transplant centre will also conduct cornea transplants once a law is put in place.