Uganda has millions of children, and many of them suffer from diseases that require surgery. But for a long time, the country had very few pediatric surgeons who are specially trained to operate on children. In fact, before 2008, Uganda had only one board-certified pediatric surgeon. This made it very hard for children to get the care they needed.
To help solve this problem, Paediatric Surgical Foundation Limited (PSFL) partnered with the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) to start a training program for pediatric surgeons in Uganda.
What is the PSFL Fellowship Program?
The PSFL Fellowship Program is a 3-year training program that teaches doctors how to become pediatric surgeons. It began in 2014, and since then, 6 pediatric surgeons have completed the program and are now working in different parts of Uganda. There are currently 4 doctors in training, and the goal is to train at least 3 pediatric surgeons every year for the next 10 years.
This program helps ensure that every region of Uganda can have its own pediatric surgeon, so that children don’t have to travel far to get care.
Why Is This Training Important?
Children are not just small adults—they have special needs when it comes to surgery. Pediatric surgery requires different knowledge, skills, and tools. Without proper training, general surgeons may not be able to safely treat children with complex conditions. This can lead to delays, poor results, or even death.
By training more pediatric surgeons, we make sure that:
- Children receive the right treatment from qualified doctors
- Lives are saved through early and safe surgeries
- Long-term disabilities are reduced
- Families do not need to travel far for help
More Than Surgeons
The dream of PSFL is not just to train pediatric surgeons. We also want to train pediatric anesthetists, nurses, and other support staff who work with children. This creates strong medical teams that can offer complete and safe care to children.
We also hope to work with partners from high-income countries so our trainees can gain more experience through exchange programs and international exposure.
Challenges and the Way Forward
Training pediatric surgeons is expensive. We need funds to:
- Support the trainees and trainers
- Buy learning materials and tools
- Improve training facilities
- Create partnerships with other institutions
That is why we need support from individuals, donors, government agencies, and international organizations. With your help, we can train more pediatric surgeons and save more children’s lives.
Be Part of the Solution
The PSFL Fellowship Program is changing the future of child health in Uganda—one surgeon at a time. When you support this program, you’re not just helping a doctor—you’re helping hundreds of children live healthier, happier lives.
👉 Join us today. Let’s train the heroes our children need.
