About UNC Project-Uganda

In 2004, a group of UNC physicians established the Amal Murarka International Pediatric Health Foundation in memory of their colleague, Dr. Amal Murarka, who died unexpectedly in 2003. The foundation sent a medical team to Kampala to establish the country's first pediatric intensive care unit at Mulago Hospital, Makerere University, where Dr. Murarka had previously conducted research. Subsequent work in 2007 and 2008 focused on pediatric cardiac surgery. The foundation not only built a cardiac ICU, but also performed a total of 21 life-saving pediatric cardiac surgeries.

In 2008 the foundation partnered with the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases to establish UNC Project-Uganda.

Mission

The UNC Project-Uganda was established to support sustainable delivery of compassionate and competent health care to infants, children, and adolescents in Uganda; to improve the medical knowledge of the Ugandan health care workforce through in-country training and a physician exchange program; and to provide advanced medical equipment, medications, and services necessary for the delivery of compassionate and competent pediatric care in Uganda.

Monday, October 29, 2007

The updated PICU (est. 2005)



We were saddened by the fact that the PICU that we established two years ago in Amal's name, could not be used for this trip due to it's remote location from the main hospital and operating theatre. We did find time to up the hill to visit our dear friends, Matron Jollie and Dr. Justus,
Since we left, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in the UK donated several PICU beds. Two ECG machines were there and two non invasive ventilation (BiPaP) machines were available. Unfortunately, they were not trained on its use.

Matron Jollie's son painted the entire PICU with wonderful murals, it really cheered up the place. All of the equipment we previously brought was functional and in use. We were happy to resupply the unit to some degree. They have managed 67 kids there, but expanded use is limited due to staffing (both nursing and physician). We will not forget our dear friends or our work in the PICU on future trips.

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