In Uganda, many children living in rural areas suffer from surgical diseases that go untreated. Some of these children are born with conditions that can be corrected with surgery, while others develop problems as they grow. Unfortunately, there are very few pediatric surgeons in Uganda, and most of them are based in big hospitals in Kampala and other major towns. This means many children in the villages do not get the help they need in time.
To help solve this problem, Paediatric Surgical Foundation Limited (PSFL) started organizing outreach pediatric surgery camps in upcountry hospitals. These are special programs where a team of pediatric surgeons, anesthetists, and nurses travel to rural hospitals to carry out free surgeries for children.
Bringing Help Closer to the People
The main goal of these camps is to bring surgical services closer to the children who need them. Instead of waiting for families to find transport money and travel long distances to Kampala, the doctors go to the villages. This has saved many children from developing serious problems or even dying.
Over the past 12 years, PSFL has held outreach camps in different hospitals like:
- Masaka Regional Referral Hospital
- Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital
- Soroti Regional Referral Hospital
More than 1,000 children have received life-changing surgeries through these camps.
More Than Just Surgery
During the camps, local doctors and nurses also learn from the pediatric surgeons. This helps them to gain new skills and understand how to better care for children with surgical needs. Some children with very serious conditions are referred to bigger hospitals for more advanced care.
The outreach model is not only effective but also affordable. It allows many children to be helped in a short time, without needing to move to the city.
Challenges We Face
Even though the outreach surgery camps have helped many children, they are not easy to organize. We need money for:
- Transporting the medical team
- Medicines and surgical tools
- Feeding and accommodating the team
- Preparing patients at the local hospitals
Without enough funding, we are unable to visit more areas or hold the camps more often.
How You Can Help
You can be part of this life-saving mission. We invite individuals, organizations, and well-wishers to support our outreach camps. Your support can help a child get the surgery they need and live a healthier, happier life.
👉 Donate, partner, or volunteer with PSFL today — and help transform a child’s life in rural Uganda.
