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Dr Twesigye warning medics to handle the donated machine with care. PhotoJoshua Nahamya
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By Joshua Nahamya
MBARARA CITY – Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) has received a fully-fledged anesthesia machine, valued at over Shs 200 million, from the Hal Tilbury family of San Diego, USA. According to the hospital’s publicist, Halson Kagure, the machine delivers anesthesia, supplies oxygen, and monitors vital signs during specialized surgical procedures.
Speaking during the handover on Friday, Kagure said the donation includes an operating bed, suction machine, monitors, and other components that will enable faster and safer surgical operations.
“Today was an important day because we commissioned an anesthesia machine together with its operating bed – the latest technology we have received from the Hal Tilbury family of the United States,” Kagure noted.
The complete anesthesia machine donated by the Hal Tilbury family from San Diego. (Photo: Joshua Nahamya)
He added that the equipment will also be used to train medical students from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and other institutions affiliated with the hospital.
“Being a teaching hospital affiliated to MUST, this machine will equip medical students with the skills to operate sophisticated technology and deliver comprehensive, specialized care by the time they graduate,” Kagure explained.
Kagure appealed to the government and well-wishers to provide more support to help the facility handle the high number of referrals it receives from across the region.
“Being a regional hospital, we receive large numbers of patients, yet the machines we have are sometimes not enough. We are glad that the Ministry of Health has pledged to give us another anesthesia machine and operating tables. The World Bank has also promised to equip our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which is under construction. But we still need more support,” he said.
Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. (Photo by Joshua Nahamya)
Donation inspired by need
Acting Hospital Director Dr. Deus Twesigye said the donation followed a visit by the Tilbury family in October 2024, during which they observed the hospital’s need for advanced surgical equipment, particularly in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department.
“They were impressed by the dedication of our medical teams but noticed that many operations were being done manually. They pledged to donate this anesthesia machine to improve the quality of healthcare here,” Dr. Twesigye explained. This is the second time the family has donated such equipment to MRRH in just two years, having made a similar contribution in December 2024.
Dr. Twesigye urged specialists to maintain the machines properly to ensure longevity.
“These are delicate machines, and servicing them is expensive. The better we maintain them, the longer they will serve us,” he said, adding that the hospital’s eight operating theatres will greatly benefit from the new addition.
Mbarara hospital officials headed by Dr Feus Twesigye, Acting Hospital Director officially receive the Anaesthea machine on Friday. (Photo: Joshua Nahamya)
Boost for Maternal and Surgical Care
Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Dr. Musa Kayondo welcomed the donation, saying it would significantly improve access to quality care.
“We deliver about 10,000 women every year, half of whom undergo caesarean sections. Many of these are complicated cases referred from other hospitals. This equipment will help ensure safe operations for both mothers and babies,” Kayondo said.
He added that the department also treats women with conditions such as cancer and fistula, which require specialized surgical interventions.
A Regional Centre of Excellence
Out of 17 regional referral hospitals in Uganda, MRRH is recognized as a centre of excellence for specialized services and ranks second to Mulago in the number of surgical procedures performed.
The hospital’s catchment area serves an estimated five million people, extending beyond Ankole to other regions, refugee settlements, and neighbouring countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi.
Torch Media Africa
