Uganda is a beautiful country with a young and growing population. Over half of the people in Uganda are children under the age of 15. Sadly, many of these children suffer from surgical conditions that need special care. But the number of trained pediatric surgeons in the country is very low. This means many children do not get the surgery they need in time, which puts their lives at risk.
The Big Problem
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there should be at least 1 pediatric surgeon for every 100,000 people. For Uganda, with a population of over 40 million people, this means the country needs at least 400 pediatric surgeons. But as of now, there are only about 7 board-certified pediatric surgeons in the whole country. This shortage is very serious and has led to:
- Delayed surgeries
- Poor treatment outcomes
- Disabilities
- In some cases, loss of life
Many children end up being treated by general surgeons who may not have the right training or experience to handle complex pediatric cases.
How PSFL is Helping
The Paediatric Surgical Foundation Limited (PSFL) is working hard to change this situation. Since 2014, PSFL has partnered with the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) to start a formal training program for pediatric surgery fellows. So far, 6 pediatric surgeons have completed this program and are now offering specialized services in Uganda.
There are 4 more fellows currently in training, and our goal is to graduate at least 3 new pediatric surgeons every year for the next 10 years. But it’s not just about training surgeons — we also want to train pediatric nurses, anesthesiologists, and other support staff. This creates a full team that can safely take care of children who need surgery.
Why You Should Care
Every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy. When children get the surgery they need early and safely, they are more likely to live full, happy lives. If we don’t invest in training more pediatric surgeons now, many children will continue to suffer from preventable conditions.
This is where we need your help. We are calling on:
- Government agencies to invest more in pediatric surgical training
- Hospitals to support fellowships and surgical camps
- Donors and well-wishers to provide financial support
- Medical schools and professionals to partner with us in training
Together, we can make sure that every child in Uganda has access to the surgical care they deserve.
Join the Movement
The need is big, but so is the opportunity to make a real difference. With your help, we can train more pediatric surgeons, reach more children, and save more lives.
👉 Support us today. Together, we can build a healthier future for Uganda’s children.
