By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
Mbarara
It is one year since Dr Martin Situma, a Consultant Pediatric Surgeon at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) died in a manner that left many in shock.
Dr Situma, who was buried at his ancestral home in Wakiso at the age of 45 years and had served at MRRH close to a decade.
To keep the picture of a saved man who left six children and a widow alive, Mbarara Referral Hospital Administration under the stewardship of Dr Celestine Barigye decided to name a theater after him.
The function which took place at the hospital premises on the last floor of MRRH Complex building attracted former workmates, Bethany kids, among other partners.
Different people gave moving testimonies about the man who was also a teacher of medicine at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Professor Dan Kyengera Kisitu the Head of Surgery Department at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital was one of the closest colleagues of the late and recalls the late as a closest friend.
Dr Kisitu described the late as a great man who left them at a loss adding that he learnt a lot from him in the area of surgery.
He added that Dr Situma who died on 21st July 2022, on his birthday’s eve had started medical camps across the country which benefited the less fortunate.
Professor Joseph Ngonzi, the Dean Faculty of Medicine at MUST described the departed soul as an embodiment of professionalism. Dr Ngonzi added that by nature, the late was a reserved man, not found of wearing a smiling face but his smiles were exceptional when it came to saving the lives of children with malformations and helping the needy.
He however expressed gratitude that he was able to tutor surgeons below him in order to execute duties in his absentia thus he displayed striking qualities of a good leader.
The widow to the late Dr Liz Situma thanked Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Administration for honoring the husband whom she recalls as a loving God-fearing husband.
She added that both the MRRH and MUST administration cared a lot to the ailing husband up to when the time he ceased breathing.
The late according to Dr Rose Muhindo Kabagambe a Physician at MRRH had presented with recurrent anaemia, kidney failure and conclusive diagnosis showed multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow and if it multiplies it causes failure of various organs in the body.
Dr Francis Oriokot, a Senior Consultant Pediatrician at Mbarara Referral Hospital who spoke on behalf of the hospital administration described the late as a punctual surgeon who put the lives of patients first.
“Due to his relentless efforts, Situma converted a dilapidated ward (Pediatric Surgical Ward) into a beautiful structure and the latter has been performing well in quality improvement” , said Oriokot
Halson Kagure, the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Public Relations Officer told the media at the sidelines of the event that the hospital offers services even beyond her catchment area of Ankore region.
“We receive patients from the whole of western Uganda, other regional referral hospitals given that we offer specialized services due to the affiliation we have with MUST.
Kagure added that on a given day, when you go to the Pediatric Surgical Unit you are welcomed by many mothers with children lined up for surgery.
This, according to Dr Elias Kumbakumba, the Head of Pediatrics and Children Health confirmed this by the fact that 30% of surgeries performed come from the Pediatric Unit.
Dr Felix Oyania, a Pediatric Surgeon at MRRH and MUST who happens to have been trained by the late hailed him for the passion he had for children. He appreciated good partnership with Bethany Kids for rallying behind the hospital to improve children’s care.
