Health 6 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Minister Baryomunsi Advocates for More Pediatric Surgery Training to Bridge National Gap
Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi is urging for an increase in specialized pediatric surgery training to address a significant shortage of surgeons for Uganda's young population. The Entebbe Children's Hospital is central to this capacity-building effort. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/minister-baryomunsi-calls-for-increased-paediatric-surgery-training-to-address-countrywide-gap-5621634
Minister of Health, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has stressed the urgent need to expand training programs for healthcare professionals in specialized pediatric care. This initiative aims to improve surgical services and medical treatment for children across Uganda.
During a visit to the Emergency Children’s Surgical Hospital in Entebbe, Dr. Baryomunsi highlighted the hospital’s vital role in developing specialized skills that can be disseminated to regional referral hospitals nationwide. The facility collaborates with institutions like Makerere University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology, providing clinical apprenticeships for medical students and health personnel.
According to Giacomo Menaldo, Country Director for Emergency, Uganda faces a severe deficit of pediatric surgeons. With over 22 million children under 15, the country has one of the world’s youngest populations. The World Health Organization suggests one pediatric surgeon per 100,000 children, indicating Uganda needs approximately 220 specialists, yet it currently has only a few dozen.
The Entebbe hospital, operational for five years, has provided over 7,500 free specialized surgeries. Its future plans include scaling up training to cultivate a self-sufficient local medical workforce and reduce reliance on foreign experts. The hospital commonly treats congenital anomalies such as anorectal malformations and Hirschsprung’s disease.