CBM US

Barely two months after opening a new eye clinic, CBM Uganda has unveiled a new disability rehabilitation centre aimed at providing personalised care to 12,000 patients annually, including 7,500 children with physical disabilities. This centre, located at CoRSU Rehabilitation Hospital in Entebbe, Uganda, was launched by Uganda’s State Minister for Health in Charge of General Duties, Mrs. Anifa Kawooya Bangirana and the State Minister for Disability Affairs, Ms. Hellen Grace Asamo. CBM was represented by Country Director Jackie Kwesiga and Director for Community-Based Inclusive Development Dominique Schlupkothen.

CBM’s total investment in the new Rehabilitation Centre is EUR 1.6 million, with an additional EUR 150,528 earmarked for state-of-the-art rehabilitation machinery and equipment.

“This new Rehabilitation Centre is a testament to CBM’s collective commitment to inclusion, equality, and empowerment,” Ms Kwesiga stated. “It represents a space where individuals can receive not only top-tier medical care but also the compassion and support needed to reclaim their lives and regain their independence.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new CoRSU Rehabilitation Centre in Entebbe, Uganda. Uganda’s State Minister for Health, Mrs. Anifa Kawooya, in a blue patterned dress, is cutting the ribbon while being applauded by attendees, including CBM Country Director Jackie Kwesiga. Blue and white balloons decorate the background, and a plaque with the CBM and CoRSU logos is mounted on the wall. — Anifa Kawooya, the state health minister, launched the Rehab Centre, which is fully funded by CBM.
©CBM

Uganda faces significant challenges in addressing physical disabilities, with approximately 12.4% of the population aged five and above having some form of disability, totalling roughly 4.5 million people. Women and rural populations are disproportionately affected due to limited access to healthcare. The shortage of healthcare professionals and rehabilitation specialists in rural areas leads to untreated conditions and permanent disabilities, exacerbated by poverty, stigma, and limited awareness of disability prevention and treatment options.

The primary motivation behind establishing the new centre is to address the critical mismatch between the soaring demand for rehabilitation services and existing infrastructural limitations. Initially designed to accommodate 25 outpatients daily, the existing facility has struggled to manage over 80 patients, significantly impacting the quality of care provided.

Moreover, CoRSU has expanded its services to include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, a dysphagia clinic, and clinical psychology, necessitating more space to house these disciplines. With its 50% increase in capacity, the new Rehabilitation Centre promises to reduce these pressures and ensure that patients receive the attention and treatment they need.

Hellen Grace Asamo, the State Minister for Disability Affairs, lauded the expansion but emphasised the need for a broader support system. “Subsidies for adult services are crucial,” she stated. “Many people with disabilities simply cannot afford the rehabilitation they desperately need.”

The new centre features modern facilities, including therapy rooms, an orthopaedic workshop, gym equipment, adaptive equipment, and spaces for physical and occupational therapy as well as a full equipped workshop. Consolidating these services under one roof allows for more cohesive and comprehensive care.

Dr Anthony Loro, an orthopaedic surgeon who has operated at CoRSU for 17 years, emphasised the importance of the new centre. “Surgery for children fixes 60% of the problem, then the other 40% is left to the physiotherapist because the child must start to walk again. Having the possibility to send the child to a quality facility nearby after surgery will be a huge leap forward.”

Dr. Loro added, “Some people think doing rehabilitation exercises is unimportant. It’s essential, especially in children, because they can change their lives through physiotherapy.”

Children like Shalom will also receive rehabilitation at the new centre.

©CBM

Key provisions at the new centre include:

Increased Accessibility: Bringing high-quality rehabilitation services closer to more people, reducing travel distances for care.

Comprehensive Services: Offering a range of services under one roof ensures patients receive holistic care tailored to their needs.

Training Healthcare Professionals: Building local capacity by training healthcare professionals, including orthopaedic therapists, technicians, nurses, and assistants in rehabilitation medicine.

Community Outreach Programs: Educating the public about rehabilitation and disability rights to reduce stigma and encourage early intervention.
Research and Innovation: Serving as a hub for research and innovation, leading to advancements in treatment protocols and a better understanding of rehabilitation outcomes in Uganda.

This centre is part of CBM’s broader commitment to community-based inclusive development in Uganda, a mission actively pursued since the 1980s.

Mr. Schlupkothen highlighted Uganda’s progress towards inclusive development, citing the National Action Plan on Disability, the national special grant for persons with disabilities, and commitments made by the government at the last Global Disability Summit.

However, he acknowledged that more needs to be done. “Beyond good policies, the most important thing is implementation. The new rehabilitation centre at CoRSU is an example of practical implementation which will benefit many people in Uganda,” Schlupkothen emphasised.

The commissioning of the new Rehabilitation Centre marks a significant step forward in improving the lives of persons with disabilities. With this new centre, CoRSU and CBM are laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and supportive healthcare system in Uganda.