Jinja Regional Referral Hospital (JRRH), the biggest health facility in eastern region has taken a significant step forward in its mission to deliver quality healthcare services with the recent donation of 43 hospital beds and mattresses, as well as 10 wheelchairs, orthopedic boots, walkers, and crutches.
This generous donation, courtesy of Pathways to Hope Africa and the Kathy Rall Foundation, is expected equip the hospital’s newly constructed Samuel Leeds Orthopedic Ward, enhancing its capacity to provide comprehensive orthopedic care to patients.
The donation, which was made possible through a partnership between Pathways to Hope Africa and the Kathy Rall Foundation, marks a major milestone in the hospital’s efforts to improve healthcare outcomes and promote health development in the region.
Pathways To Africa is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering African communities to break the cycle of poverty. They focus on providing essential services like healthcare, education and economic opportunities to marginalized communities.
The Principal Hospital Administrator at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, David Ssemakula has welcomed the gesture saying it is not just a donation; but is a lifeline for people who have been suffering without timely access to proper orthopedic treatment.
He says the donation was made possible through a partnership with the Kathy Rall Foundation of Seattle Washington which provided critical funding to ensure the Samuel Leeds Ward is fully equipped to serve patients.
“…. with this support, Pathways To Africa managed the shipping and delivery of all items giving the hospital the tools it needs to improve patient care immediately…” the PHA remarks.
As can be recalled the Samuel Leeds Orthopedic Ward was constructed to meet the growing demand for orthopedic care in the Busoga sub-region, which is home to over four million people.
It is a 64-bed orthopedic ward funded by the Samuel Leeds Foundation, a UK-based charity organization at a cost of 1 billion Uganda shillings, approximately 300,000 pounds and was commissioned on 8th October,2024 by the First deputy Prime Minister/EAC Affairs Minister Rt Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga.
The donation followed a life-threatening accident involving Samuel Leeds a UK property investor on the River Nile in July 2019.He fell down a waterfall, landing on rocks and was rescued by Dr Jamila Namusoke, then junior surgeon at JRRH who successfully treated him.
After the successful surgery, Samuel Leeds decided to fund the construction of the orthopedic ward as a gesture of gratitude.
Samuel Leeds has also pledged to build a Centre of Excellence for online courses and remote training.
Hitherto, patients requiring orthopedic treatment faced limited space and long waiting times, highlighting the need for a dedicated orthopedic ward.
The new ward plus the donation will significantly improve the hospital’s capacity to deliver quality orthopedic care, reducing waiting times and improving treatment outcomes.
According to the hospital director Dr Alfred Yayi, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital’s mission is to provide accessible, equitable, and quality healthcare services to all patients.
The hospital’s vision is to become a leading healthcare institution in Uganda, renowned for its excellence in patient care, medical research, and training.
To achieve this, the hospital is working tirelessly to strengthen its infrastructure, enhance its human resource capacity, and improve its service delivery.
The hospital’s commitment to excellence is evident in its efforts to improve patient care, promote health research, and strengthen its infrastructure.
With a dedicated team of healthcare professionals and a clear vision for the future, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital is poised to become a leading healthcare institution in Uganda, delivering quality healthcare services to the communities it serves.
Dr Yayi says top managers of JRRH, they recognize the importance of partnerships and collaborations in achieving its mission and vision.
“…the donation is yet another testament to the power of partnerships in transforming healthcare, and we look forward to continuing this kind of collaborations with local and international organizations to support healthcare development in the region…” the Director pledges.
With the support of its partners and stakeholders, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital is confident that it will achieve its mission and vision, delivering quality healthcare services to patients and contributing to the overall well-being of the communities it serves.
Orthopedic care is a significant global health concern with disparities in access to quality care affecting individuals, communities and healthcare systems worldwide.
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What You Need To Know:
A well-equipped and modern orthopedic ward us crucial in a regional hospital like Jinja for several reasons:
A modern orthopedic ward provides specialized care and treatment for patients with musculoskeletal conditions, injures and diseases leading to better health outcomes and reduced morbidity.
By having a dedicated orthopedic ward, experts say patients in the Busoga region have access to specialized care without having to travel long distance to larger hospital or private hospitals reducing healthcare disparities and improving health equity.
A well-equipped orthopedic ward enables surgeons to perform complex procedures such as joint replacements, spinal surgeries and trauma care which can greatly improve patients’ quality of life.
Experts also say modern orthopedic care can reduce the risk of complications such as infections, nerve damage and prolonged recovery times, which can have long-term consequences on patients.
By providing specialized orthopedic care, experts argue that patients can return to work and daily activities faster reducing the economic burden on individuals, families and the community.
A modern orthopedic ward can serve as a training ground for medical students, residents and healthcare professionals thus enhancing their skills and knowledge in orthopedic care.
Finally, a well-equipped and modern orthopedic ward can increase community thus in the hospital leading to increased utilization of healthcare services and improved health outcomes.
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