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Uganda 2024

Bringing Transformative Surgical Care to Uganda

Uganda has one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios in the world, with approximately one doctor for every 25,000 people. Ohana One, in partnership with Pipeline Worldwide, led a surgical outreach in Uganda, providing essential reconstructive procedures to those in need. The team performed surgeries, offered patient consultations, trained hospital staff, and introduced innovative technology to enhance long-term care, leaving a lasting impact on the community.

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Patient Spotlight

Elizabeth Kawa

At just eight months old, Elizabeth grabbed a hot motorcycle exhaust pipe, severely burning her left hand. Her mother, a teacher from Atiak, missed a similar surgical camp the previous year and was determined not to miss this opportunity. They traveled via boda boda and stayed at the hospital for two weeks, despite financial hardships.

Diagnosis: Burn contracture on the right hand, limiting dexterity.
Outcome: Underwent a right 2nd digit release, restoring hand function.
Hospital: St. Mary’s Hospital

Patient Spotlight

Lola Acan

Lola , now 11 years old, suffered severe burns to both hands at the age of one after falling into a fire during a community gathering. Her mother learned about the Ohana One surgical camp just days before their arrival and traveled for an entire day on a boda boda (a motorcycle taxi) with Lola and her younger sibling to reach the hospital.

Diagnosis: Severe burn contractures on both hands, limiting mobility
Outcome: Underwent multiple surgeries, including contracture releases, grafts, and K-wire fixation, restoring movement and function in both hands
Hospital: St. Mary’s Hospital

Patient Spotlight

Giffy Apio

While learning to walk, GIffy fell onto burning charcoal, resulting in severe facial burns. Her mother, after hearing about the camp from a friend at the hospital, traveled three hours by boda boda and waited at the hospital for a week to ensure her daughter received care.

Diagnosis: Facial burn contractures affecting mobility
Outcome: Underwent a facial contracture release, significantly improving movement and healing
Hospital: St. Mary’s Hospital

Patient Spotlight

Aromo Maurine

Maurine developed a keloid on her right ear after attempting to pierce it with a needle at age 15. Over time, the growth became more pronounced. Unlike many patients who had to camp at the hospital, she was able to travel back and forth from her village, Pece Acoyo, which was a 30-minute boda boda ride away. Her uncle received a call from the hospital through a connection about the plastics camp, giving her access to the care she needed.

Diagnosis: Right ear keloid from an infection after self-piercing
Outcome: Underwent a successful keloid removal, restoring ear appearance
Hospital: Moyo Hospital

Patient Spotlight

Oweka Junior

Six years ago, Junior fell onto burning wood used for warmth, suffering a severe burn injury to his left wrist. His mother heard about the camp through Rupiny Radio, and they arrived five days before surgery.

Diagnosis: Severe left wrist contracture, limiting hand movement
Outcome: Received a left wrist contracture release, improving mobility and function
Hospital: St. Mary’s Hospital

Our Work

Ohana One, in collaboration with Pipeline Worldwide and local partners, conducted a transformative surgical outreach trip to Uganda, providing life-changing reconstructive procedures to patients who would have otherwise not had access to needed care. This outreach brought critical surgical care, medical training, and equipment donations.

With a dedicated team of 20 volunteers, the mission included 38 surgeries and 50 patient consults, impacting individuals from infancy to adulthood. Beyond surgery, the team provided advanced medical training to hospital staff and introduced innovative technology to improve long-term patient care.

Complex procedures included burn contracture releases, keloid removals, and reconstructive hand surgeries

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Beyond Surgical Success

The impact of Ohana One’s Uganda Surgical Outreach extended beyond surgery, leaving a lasting mark on local medical care:

  • Training for hospital staff on ultrasound and videolaryngoscope techniques to enhance patient care.
  • Training on surgical preparation to ensure medications are easily accessible during procedures.
  • Repair of the long-defunct C-Arm X-ray machine at Lacor Hospital by Ohana One’s Peter Ronoh, restoring a vital diagnostic tool.
  • Training local surgeons on the use of Smart Glasses, allowing for continued learning and real-time consultations beyond the trip.
  • And, of course, Kiki the clown brought laughter and joy to patients and families, reinforcing that healing includes both medical treatment and emotional support.

Partners

We extend our deepest gratitude to our partners, donors, and volunteers who made this mission possible. The generosity of Americares, MAP International, and MTF Biologics. MTF Biologics donated over $70,000 in medical supplies to this outreach trip fulfilling needs that can be met far beyond this trip.

Together, we are building a future where life-changing surgical care is accessible to all.

Continued Support

The 2024 Uganda Surgical Outreach was a success, for the 38 patients who received life-changing surgeries, for the local healthcare teams who gained critical training and access to new medical technology, and for the more than $75,000 in donated supplies. This trip reinforced the power of collaboration—between international experts, local surgeons, and community volunteers—to bring sustainable healthcare solutions to underserved regions.

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When I was asked to coordinate the Ohana One and Pipeline surgical camp, I had no idea how transformative the experience would be. From rallying colleagues and making radio announcements to registering patients, the anticipation built steadily. When the team arrived in Gulu, I was honored to welcome them and witness their warmth, kindness, and unwavering dedication to patient care.

Dr. David Nyeko, St. Mary’s Lacor Hospital

Stay Updated

Stories from our outreach trips.

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