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 Kampala, Uganda: MTN Uganda today handed over Medical Endoscopic Equipment worth over UGX 130 million. The Endoscopic Equipment is to be used in the Neurosurgery Departments of these hospitals for specialized surgery and treatment of people suffering from Hydrocephalus, an abnormal condition of the brain.
While speaking at the handover of the Endoscopic Medical Equipment to Mulago’s Neurosurgery Department, MTN CEO Themba Khumalo said, “As MTN, we are committed to improving the well being of the communities in which we operate, and we are proud to support our communities through partnerships that improve the health care of our people.”
Hydrocephalus is a health challenge to some of our people, and because of the complex nature of this ailment, treatment requires specialized attention, which is not readily available to many. Because of the challenge that exists in providing this specialized surgery, the recovery of patients of Hydrocephalus, is sometimes not achieved. As MTN, we were compelled to come in to support our brothers and sisters of Mulago Hospital in their efforts by providing them with extra tools that will enable them to carry out proper endoscopic surgery, and in turn save lives,” Mr. Khumalo said.
While receiving the Medical Equipment on behalf of the Neurosurgery Department, The Deputy Executive Director of the National Referral Hospital at Mulago, Dr. Isaac Ezati said, “Every year, Mulago Hospital reviews about 200 babies and up to 20 adults with Hydrocephalus. The assistance you are providing today will go a long way in saving many lives.”
Hydrocephalus is the accumulation of cerebral spinal fluids on the brain, causing severe pressure and eventual swelling of the head. Treatment of Hydrocephalus requires proper brain surgery and monitoring, but due to constraints we are only able to provide intermediate solutions to only 50% of patients admitted. According to statistics over 3,000 children acquire hydrocephalus each year; and if untreated, children with the condition are likely to die before the age of four or suffer permanent brain damage.
“These patients are usually faced with the challenge of meeting the financial cost for much needed medical surgery, and for years now, Mulago Hospital has tried to meet these patients half way through use of less specialized short term solutions. It is with great pleasure therefore that we receive the support from The MTN Foundation, whose timely intervention has the promise of providing Specialized Endoscopic Surgery to patients of Hydrocephalus,” he added.
The Medical Equipment received will support the performance of a more sophisticated Brain surgery procedure known as Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Mulago hospital is a national referral hospital and has a unit that specializes in treating the neurosurgical needs of children with an emphasis on hydrocephalus, neural tube defects, spina bifida, epilepsy and brain tumors. The equipment was donated by MTN under the MTN Foundation.
About Mulago Hospital
A National Referral and Teaching Hospital providing specialist services in Surgery, Internal Medicine, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oncology, Radiology with computerised Tomography (CT scan), Intensive Care , Renal Dialysis, Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Orthopaedics including limb fitting, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Dermatology, Genital/Urinary (urology) medicine, Neurosurgery, Cardiology and Cardiothoracic surgery and Accident and Emergency among others. Founded in 1913, Mulago Hospital suffered a phase of decline posed by the Socio-Economic effects that resulted from the national political upheavals of the 1970s and 1980s. Since mid 1980s, Mulago has undergone a series of rehabilitation works, development of the Human Resource, procurement of equipment in the numerous service centres including the remodeling of Theatre Suite, installation of ICT, furniture and other medical systems aimed at improving service delivery. A Tele-Medicine Centre at Lower Mulago was recently installed through a Pan-African collaboration between the Indian Government and Government of Uganda. This facility has enhanced consultation support between Mulago Hospital specialists and their counterparts in India’s high level health care Institutions. This eases the quality of patient care and enhances training of Health workers. Mulago Hospital offers state-of-art Private Patients as well as General Low cost and free Services including emergency, outpatient and inpatient services. Visit: www.mulago.or.ug for more information.
ABOUT the MTN FOUNDATION
Launched in 2007, the MTN Foundation is a non profit organisation engaged in activities of general interest having a philanthropic focus on education, science & technology, music, arts & culture, health, Habitat for Humanity and other actions of humanitarian character, contributing to the promotion and protection of material heritage and national culture. The MTN Uganda Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of the MTN Group in Uganda and has made over UGX 1.5 billion since the year 2007 in contributions to community focused projects that have wide ranging benefits and that are sustainable. The MTN Group is a global sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and has exclusive mobile content rights for Africa and the Middle East. Visit www.mtn.com for more information.
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