Patients with septic ailments in Uganda and in the neighboring countries including Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan have a reason to smile after the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services In Uganda Hospital (CORSU) located in Kisubi off Entebbe Road set to construct a state of the art septic ward that will treat patients with open wounds, plastic surgery patients with infections such as burn wounds or delicate post-surgical conditions. Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony that was held at the hospital on Tuesday the head of the orthopedic section Dr. Loro Antonio revealed that the new facility will serve 24 patients and will reduce disability among children who are treated as outcasts by their parents and in their communities including schools because of the social stigma that comes with the disease.
We as CORSU Hospital are pleased to announce the construction of the Septic Ward that will give children who are afflicted with ailments a new chance to be like other normal children. Children with septic ailments are often treated as outcasts and second class citizens because of the stigma that comes with the disease. Many of the Children are chased away from their schools and in Taxis because of the smell that comes with the disease, Dr. Antonio revealed.
He added:
At the moment the hospital treats over 5168 septic ailments every year with children comprising 20-22% of the ailments. With the construction of the ward the challenge of overcrowding will be fully solved though our biggest challenge is that many of the children are admitted when their conditions have worsened. The disease mainly affects the bones and joints and causes a discharge of pus but parents with children having septic ailments associate the disease to witch craft.
The new facility will provide a special environment and isolation services for septic patients that will promote faster recovery. The facility will also recreate and re-construct the limbs of patients and improve the management of septic cases inside and outside the hospital.
Dr. Antonio implored government through ministry of health to sensitize the masses on early detection, signs and symptoms to avoid the ailments and infections from becoming chronic.
The construction of the septic ward is expected to start soon and will take 6-8 months to be completed. The septic ward will cost USD 1 million (approximately Shs 3.3bn) and is funded by the Christian Blind Mission (CBM) a non-profit organization based in Italy. The event was graced by the Italian Ambassador To Uganda His Excellency Domenico Fornara, Corsu CEO Malcolm Simpson, Corsu Board Chairman Dr. Emmanuel Luyirika, CEO CBM Italy Massimo Maggio and Director Health Services at Ministry of Health Dr. Anthony Mbonye who represented Minister of state for primary health care Hon. Sarah Opendi
