Health
Makerere University’s Mentorship Programme brings quality improvement at Ntuusi Health Centre IV in Sembabule
By Agnes Namaganda
On 10th June 2022, a team from the Ministry of Health, and Makerere University, visited Ntuusi Health Centre IV in Sembabule district. This visit was a follow-up on a mentorship training that was done at the health centre a month earlier by Makerere University under the RMNCAH (Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health) Project.
The RMNCAH project is housed under the Child Health and Development Centre (Mak-CHDC) which is in the College of Health Sciences at Makerere University. It is a collaboration between Mak-CHDC and several health professional associations like UNMU (Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union), (UPA) Uganda Paediatric Association, (AAU) Association of Anesthesiologists of Uganda and (AOGU) Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Uganda.
The main objective of the project is to coordinate these Health Professional Associations and Regional Referral Hospitals (RRHs) in implementation and provision of mentorship for RMNCAH at general hospitals, Health Centre IVs, and Health Centre IIIs in the Central South Region of Uganda.
The visiting team was led by the Director of Mak-CHDC, Dr. Herbert Muyinda. Dr. Eleanor Nakintu and her team from BAMA (Babies and Mothers Alive) was part of the team doing the monitoring and training. Dr. Gonzaga Ssenyondo, a Senior Obstetrics/ Gynaecologist Consultant at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital was also part of the team that was following to check if RMNCAH’s recommendations to the health facility during their previous visit had been implemented.
Dr. Ssenyondo thanked the staff for the great work and gave tips to the health staff about improving the quality of care at the health centre. He said this was key to seeing an improvement in the perception that the community has about the health centre. He also commended the health facility team for implementing many of the recommendations that had been cited as challenges at the previous visit. These included; painting the health facility, and improving the theatre.
This team was later joined by the Commissioner in charge of Reproductive Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Richard Mugahi, the Chief Administrative Officer of Sembabule, the Town Clerk, the District Health Officer, and his Assistant.
According to the staff of Ntuusi Health Centre, challenges they face include shortage of medicines, limited human resource, no promotion at the workplace even after further studies, no accommodation at the workplace and uncoordinated transfers. These were all communicated to Dr. Mugahi.
To solve the problem of staffing, Dr. Mugahi promised that the facility will get another officer in less than 2 months. This would relieve Dr. Mohammed Kawuki, the health centre in-charge, of the heavy workload. He also promised to recruit an anesthetist for the health centre speedily to relieve the current anesthetist, Edwina Turyahebwa, of the heavy workload. He also promised to solve the issue of housing for the staff.
On the other hand, the Chief Administrative Officer promised to give the Centre an ambulance so that complicated cases are quickly referred to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital.
With each piece of good news, the staff who were in high spirits, gave a thunderous clap. The Commissioner informed the staff that he had worked in several health facilities all over the country. Having began his health services career as a VHT, he said he could perfectly identify with the challenges that the staff were facing like the lack of accommodation.
The Commissioner also affirmed that the staff would be getting a salary increase which government had promised in the next financial year that is starting in July, 2022. However, government was going to keep a close eye on them to make sure they perform accordingly.
Email the Writer: agnesvioletnamaganda@gmail.com
Health
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At a ceremony held on 30th May 2025, themed ‘They taught us without saying a word’, the Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) commemorated the silent teacher which are the cadavers (bodies) used in anatomy classes for medical students. In addition to a commemoration service, the event was used to create awareness and sensitise the public about the the importance of whole body donation.
The chief guest at the commemoration was Professor Mukadasi Buyinza, Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic Affairs representing the Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe. The event attended by MakCHS students, staff and alumni was organised by students under Anatomy Society of MakCHS supported by Department of Anatomy and MakCHS leadership.
Welcoming guests to the event, Waziwu Mordecai–final year student of medicine and surgery who serves as President of the Anatomy Society, MakCHS explained that the reason for the gathering is three-pronged: to commemorate the silent teachers who make a profound contribution to medical education; to instill knowledge, compassion, and professionalism in future healthcare providers; and call on the community to support this noble act through awareness, advocacy, or future donation. ‘May the memory of our silent teachers live on in every life we will one day save’, he said.
The Anatomy society was founded in 2013 with aim of students providing peer mentorship to fellow students in lower years, such mentorship sessions help students appreciate better the anatomy of the human body. The society has supported:enhanced learning and mentorship; promoted academic participation including internal and external quizzes; and fostered connections including strengthen relationships between students across classes and with alumni.
Professor Elisa Mwaka, Head – Department of Human Anatomy welcomed all present for attending the ceremony. He thanked the College management led by the Principal, Professor Bruce Kirenga for the support provided in organizing the ceremony. He also expressed utmost appreciation to the Vice Chancellor for attending despite the competing priorities requiring his attention.
Professor Mwaka highlighted that we are here today, to pay our respect to the individuals whose bodies have been used for medical examination and research at MakCHS through offering prayers as well as sensitize people about willful/consented whole body donation.
Professor Mwaka explained that globally, sources of whole bodies for medical education and research are got through willed whole-body donation, unclaimed bodies in hospitals, imported bodies, executed persons among other means. In Uganda, unclaimed bodies in hospitals are used for medical as determined by the Uganda National Rules in the Penal Code Act of 1957.
In 2012 International Federation of Anatomy Associations (IFAA) recommended voluntary donation as the desirable and the only acceptable source for acquiring bodies. Almost all Africa countries and some European countries lack national body donation programs.
Speaking at the event, Professor Bruce Kirenga, Principal – MakCHS thanked Professor Mwaka for the insightful presentation. He welcomed Professor Buyinza to MakCHS and for accepting to attend despite the late invitation. He recognized the presence of the staff present and support towards the college activities.
Professor Kirenga underlined the importance of biomedical science under which human anatomy falls in medical education. ‘Biomedical sciences play a key role, once someone in grounded in the area, then he will be a good doctor’, he said.
The Principal also stressed that during his term of office operation efficiency will remain key ingredient for service delivery as well as rebuilding and rehabilitation of teaching and learning facilities. ‘Works to make the Biochemistry laboratory a model lab has commenced with a contract awarded to service provider; the refurbishment will be in phases’.
Professor Buyinza Mukadasi thanked the College, Human Anatomy department and the students for organizing the commemoration. ‘The amount of joy I have this morning, we should have done this a long time ago’, he said.
He expressed happiness at this commemoration for the silent teachers who unknowingly give so much to medical education and therefore mankind. He advised that community engagement to create awareness about the need for whole-body donation, regulatory compliance, and alignment to best practices.
He noted that disciplines like medicine is more like charity because medical practitioners give so much of themselves. ‘The number of people attending this ceremony is show of love for the discipline and commitment to the calling’ he said.
Professor Buyinza reiterated the commitment of Makerere University management to support MakCHS endeavours including this culture of commemorating the silent teacher. ‘Well-trained and season doctors are a result of the process explained here and the absence of bodies affects the quality of education provided and therefore the doctors produced’, he added.
Candles for the cadavers were lit and services representative of Anglican, Catholics and Muslims were conducted to remember the souls of the departed and wish them a peaceful rest. Ordinand Cosmas Ddembe for Anglican, Father Valentine Amuneke for Catholic and Dr. Haruna Kiryowa for Muslim preached the importance of respect for the dead and sacrifices of the dead for advancement of research and education in the medical field and health services.
Giving closing remarks, Professor Mwaka noted that setting up whole-body donation programs in Africa requires a holistic approach involving education, cultural sensitivity, legal structures, and partnerships with medical institutions.
Reasons why Africa has failed to establish body donation programs:
- Low awareness and willingness to donate bodies.
- Cultural and traditional beliefs
- Religious beliefs
- Fear of mishanding bodies
- Lack of legislation/ ambiguous regulations
- Lack of institutional policies and standard operating procedures
- Institutions should be encouraged to hold Services of thanksgiving or commemoration for those who have donated their bodies for medical education and research.
The following is required to change the current status:
- Cultural sensitivity and awareness
- Community engagement and awareness creation
- Educational campaigns
- Developing legal and ethical frameworks
- Building partnerships between hospitals and medical institutions
- Establishing local body donation systems i.e.,
- donation registration process,
- consent documentation,
- Logistical infrastructure necessary for the
- donation process.
- Effective communication, public trust,transparency.
- Training and professional development of healthcare providers.
- Global collaboration and funding: to share knowledge, best practices, and resources.
- Government support
- Funding and incentives
- Inclusion of body donation in national health strategies.
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