On January 19, 2001, CURE International officially opened CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda in Mbale to offer hope and neurosurgical treatment to children suffering with treatable disabilities. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed plans for a well-deserved 20 year anniversary celebration until the government of Uganda recently allowed public gatherings again under strict standard operating procedures.
In order to commemorate the 22,000+ children who have now benefited from this hospital since its founding, CURE Uganda was recently showered in appreciation and support by everyone from local citizens to the Vice President of the country.
The celebration was especially exciting as it was planned on the date of December 3rd to coincide appropriately on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
“Allow me … to appreciate the fact that this hospital was established as a faith-based organization. In my own opinion, this hospital is laid on a firm foundation. No wonder for twenty years it [has grown] from strength to strength” said Vice President Alupo. “I would like to encourage you, continue to value the physical aspect but also the spiritual aspect as you have been doing.”
H.E. Vice President Jessica Alupo was joined by Honorable Angelina Wapakhabulo, the former ambassador to Kenya and founding board member of CURE Uganda and the widow of Ugandan statesman, Rt. Hon. James Wapakhabulo, who served as Second Deputy Prime Minister, Speaker of the House, and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Assistant Commissioner from Clinical Services, Dr. Nabanja Juliet, also joined in celebrating 20 years of CURE in Uganda.
“On this day, we mark the day for disability…there wouldn’t be a better [place] to mark it than here,” said Dr. Nabanja Juliet, Assistant Commissioner from Clinical services. “On top of all that is being done, I am proud to know [this] facility…is incorporating soul winning as part of medical care. I want to thank the facility for investing in that.”
Also in attendance was the co-chairman of CURE Uganda’s Board of Directors, Dr. Patrick Bitature, members of CURE International’s Executive Team, and Justin Narducci, President & CEO of CURE International, who was in Africa visiting CURE children’s hospitals in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya.
Over the past 21 years, CURE Uganda has become an international center for neurosurgical procedures and research, a renowned teaching hospital, and a pillar of pediatric healthcare in the under-resourced East African country.
The selfless staff at CURE Uganda are excited about the impact of the hospital over the next 20 years ahead as the hospital continues to add staff and build an overflow ward to treat even more children. Recently, CURE Uganda broke its own record for most surgical procedures in one month with 159 patients having surgery in November 2021.
The care provided at CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda is made possible by the generous support of donors who provide care at no cost to the child and their guardians. Please help provide life-saving surgical and ministry care to children by clicking here to donate today.
About CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda
Officially opened in Mbale, Uganda on January 19, 2001, CURE Uganda is one of Africa’s leading pediatric hospitals for brain surgery and the treatment of neurological conditions. It provides minimally-invasive endoscopic neurosurgical procedures and attracts surgeons from around the world to its prestigious CURE Neuro Fellowship Program. The teaching hospital consists of three operating rooms, an 18-bed Intensive Care Unit and 37 Ward beds. Hospital staff complete approximately 1,500 surgical procedures annually for children with conditions including hydrocephalus, spina bifida, brain tumors, and other neural tube defects. In addition to world-class clinical service, CURE Uganda ministers to the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their communities.
About CURE International
CURE International is a Christian nonprofit organization that operates a global network of pediatric surgical hospitals, which serve one of the world’s most marginalized and vulnerable populations – children with disabilities. Patients at CURE hospitals suffer from orthopedic, neurosurgical, and maxillofacial conditions that limit their mobility/functionality and opportunities for education and employment. In addition to world-class clinical service, CURE intentionally ministers to the emotional and spiritual needs of patients in its care and invests in training programs that aim to equip the next generation of health workers and strengthen national health care systems. Since inception, CURE has conducted more than 5.3 million patient visits and 330,000 surgical procedures around the world. For more information, visit https://cure.org/.
