VIST AT KYABIRWA SURGICAL CENTRE JINJA

On 3 October 2025, the Rotary Club of Jinja conducted a feasibility visit to Kyabirwa Surgical Centre in Jinja as part of the preparatory activities for the Hernia Aid Project. The visit was led by the Club President, accompanied by members of the club. Hernia International was represented by Dr. Mukalazi Henry Garvin, the Project Country Coordinator.

Upon arrival, the team received a warm welcome from the hospital staff, who expressed great enthusiasm for the partnership. The meeting commenced with the reading of the agenda, followed by self-introductions from all participants. This created an open and collaborative atmosphere that encouraged active participation throughout the session.

During the meeting, members were briefed on the objectives of the Hernia Aid Project, which aims to ensure access to affordable hernia mesh through local production using readily available materials. The project seeks to empower health facilities to become self-sufficient in providing surgical care for hernia patients, thereby improving health outcomes and reducing dependency on imported medical supplies.

A number of key aspects were discussed, including the technical requirements for local mesh production, training needs for medical personnel, quality assurance measures, and potential partnerships to support implementation. The discussions were insightful and demonstrated a shared commitment to improving surgical care within the community.

The visit concluded with expressions of appreciation from both the Rotary Club of Jinja and the Kyabirwa Surgical Centre team. The feasibility visit marked an important step toward establishing a sustainable and impactful collaboration under the Hernia Aid Project, aimed at strengthening local healthcare capacity and enhancing access to essential surgical services.