Trip Report
Date August 8-19, 2013
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Volunteers
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Surgeries
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Days Working
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For those who have followed previous missions and blogs you will have read about the
obstacles and frustrations of previous Uganda Spine Missions. After the 2012 mission I had
doubts that I would ever come back to Uganda. As the months past I began feeling the guilt of
not fulfilling my obligation to those that I have treated and those waiting for treatment. I very
much struggled with the decision to return and if I return where do I set up the team. After
much deliberation I elected to return to Mbarara. A small city in the southern reaches of
Uganda where the mission all started. We visited there in 2006 and 2007. The reason we did
not go back was because the 300 km drive from Kampala to Mbarara was a life threatening
experience, on an unpaved single lane road with two way traffic of overloaded buses, cattle
trucks, motorcycles, pedestrians, and animals. I heard from the locals that the road is now
paved and that a new hospital was built and now functional. With this information my 2013
strategy was to assemble a smaller more mobile team and give the mission one more chance.
On arrival in Mbarara after the 5 hour drive, on a road that was surprisingly in good shape, I
was overwhelmed by what I saw. A new hospital, with a 1500 square foot operating room, a
fully equipped intensive care unit, a private in patient ward, and the smiles of my colleagues Dr.
Deo and Dr. Emmanuel. It was a wonderful home coming and instantaneously I knew it was
going to be a tremendous mission.
This year's mission team was outstanding. The veteran's, Danielle (my daughter who was in
Mbarara in 2006), Sherri and Rob, never once doubted what we would be able to accomplish.
The rookies Zvi (my medical school and ski buddy) and Jennifer functioned like seasoned
veterans. The first day of clinic set the tone for the whole week. As each 18 hour day passed by
there was a growing desire to do more. Over the next 7 days we evaluated over 120 patients,
performed 11 operations over 6 days, and triaged over 20 patients for surgery in 2014. This
was by far the most productive and gratifying mission to date.
However, we must not forget, "TIA" (this is Africa). We still had to endure the power failures,
the sterilization issues, the ward conditions, the lack of basic supplies. The difference this time
was a glimpse into the future. The infrastructure of an operating room and intensive care unit
have come to fruition. The commitment from the Mbarara University and the Mbarara
Regional Referral Hospital is genuine. The ambition of the local surgeons and hospital staff is
readily apparent. The need for spine care is relentless. Even with all this in mind there is no
reason why the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital cannot become the pinnacle spine center in
all of East Africa.
As is credited to Rabbi Tarphon, "one is not obliged to completing the task of Tikun Olam
(repairing the world), neither is one free to abandon it". On behalf of the patients we treat I
would like to thank all those who have contributed to the mission. With the success of this
year's mission I reaffirm my commitment to future missions.
Dr. Isador Lieberman
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