Lira, Uganda | A pediatric surgical camp at Lira Regional Referral Hospital has surpassed its initial targets, offering life-changing operations to hundreds of children from across northern Uganda.
In the first week alone, more than 400 children underwent surgery, compared to the hospital’s original two-week target of 600. Over 2,000 children have been screened, with many more still waiting.
The camp, organized by Love Without Boundaries Uganda in partnership with the hospital, focuses on correcting congenital conditions such as hernias, hydroceles, undescended testes, and anal malformations.
Dr. Andrew Odur, the Acting Hospital Director, said the high turnout had overwhelmed projections.
He explained that the hospital now expects to operate on between 800 and 900 children by the close of the camp.
Hospital officials noted that while hernia and hydrocele cases were the main focus, urgent conditions outside the initial scope, such as imperforate anus, have also been handled.
Pediatric surgeon Dr. Charles Newton Odongo said turning away such children was not an option.
The initiative comes at a time when the region faces a shortage of specialized pediatric surgical services.
Currently, the hospital operates with only a few surgeons, who have been working long hours to meet the overwhelming demand.
Love Without Boundaries Uganda director Ronald Ssejjuuko said the need for pediatric surgery in northern Uganda remains “beyond charity.”
He recalled that last year’s camp in Lira managed 550 operations, yet many children were left unattended.
This year’s response, he said, confirms the urgent need for government and development partners to step in.
Families welcomed the intervention, saying it had lifted years of pain, stigma, and uncertainty.
Some mothers said their children had missed out on school or play because of untreated conditions, while others worried about the future health of their children.
Despite the camp’s success, hospital management pointed to challenges of limited space and equipment.
Dr. Odur said the experience demonstrates the urgent need for a dedicated pediatric surgical unit in the hospital to deal with what he described as a widespread public health problem.
Lira Regional Referral Hospital officials are confident the number of operations will exceed the initial projections as the camp enters its final days.
They have assured families that children who miss out during this round will be scheduled for future routine surgeries.