Trained specialists graduate from Uganda Heart Institute

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The first cohort of 49 locally trained specialists have graduated from the Uganda Heart Institute.

Previously, doctors who wanted to specialize in heart care had to travel abroad at a total cost of 400 Million Shillings.

With just 100 Million Shillings, doctors have been able to specialize in seven cardiac disciplines at the institute. These include; adult cardiology, cardiac nursing, cardiac critical care, cardiac anesthesia and critical care, cardiac surgery, pediatric cardiology, perfusion technology and cardiac catheter technology.

Dr John Omagino, the Executive Director of Uganda Heart Institute described the graduation as a triumph for the country. He says that they believe that the locally trained specialists can easily adapt to the working environment in the country compared to those who go abroad.

The Minister of Health for Primary healthcare, Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu asked the graduates to practice the skills they have attained.

Annually, an estimated 1.3 million Ugandans succumb to different cardiovascular diseases that can easily be treated according to the health ministry. With the ability to train doctors locally, Kaducu says most of these deaths will be avoided since there will be doctors who can handle them locally.

One of the graduates, Dr Ssemogerere Lameck who specializes in cardiac critical care and anesthesia says the five-year training at the institute helped him have a strong support system.

“The local training helped me study and work. I was also able to be with my family. My family, friends and even patients helped push me to do better even when I was tired. If I had gone abroad, that would not have been possible,” he said.

At the graduation ceremony, the institute also launched a 583 Billion Shillings strategic plan that will focus on creating regional treatment centres.

Dr James Magara, the chairman of the UHI says the institute’s ability to teach, train and supervise specialists means they can handle the country’s heart illnesses.

“In the next five years, we want the next board to focus on building a permanent home for the Institute but that home needs human resource. What we have seen today will ensure that when we get our home, we shall not be a white elephant because we shall have the required human resource,” Dr Magara said.

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