SALEM – working worldwide for peace

Patient numbers at SALEM Hospital are rising. Since 2022, for example, the number of deliveries and caesarean sections has roughly tripled.

The cooperation with German Doctors has contributed greatly to this positive development. In January, the new operating theatre was inaugurated. To mark the occasion, a ‘medical camp’ was organised, in which many Ugandan doctors participated, examining patients and performing operations free of charge or at greatly reduced prices. The costs for transport, consumables and catering for the teams were covered by SALEM International and Tukolere Wamu. There will be another surgical camp at the end of September. This time, German doctors will be participating, with the focus on hernia and thyroid operations.

Another new addition is the department for sick newborns. Last year, 34 babies were successfully treated, including premature babies and triplets.

The malnutrition programme, financed by German Doctors (BMZ, but unfortunately only committed until 2027), is still running. Every week, teams travel to the villages to examine children for malnutrition and advise their mothers. This has enabled some seriously ill children to be identified and admitted to SALEM. Some of them were orphans and were taken into the SALEM baby house or children's village.

The vaccination programme is also continuing to run smoothly. Teams travel to the surrounding villages to vaccinate children in particular, but also to weigh babies, examine pregnant women, carry out simple laboratory tests and much more.

The main goal for the centre, which is currently registered as a ‘Grade 4 Health Centre’, to is still to receive full recognition as a hospital. We hope that the government will then also cover part of the salaries of the medical staff. At the moment, it is not easy to finance the doctors and staff for the medical facility.

The government pays doctors much more than an organisation like SALEM can do. Finding doctors who are willing to work for less money is not easy, but it can work if other incentives such as opportunities for further training, housing, etc. are created. Working part-time helps some employees to earn extra money elsewhere and thus make a living.

SALEM has now fulfilled almost all of the requirements set by the Ministry of Health for hospital registration: there is a modern mortuary, doctors are on site around the clock, the new operating theatre is complete, and the X-ray machine has been purchased. However, there are still a few steps to take before recognition can be granted by the Ministry of Health, and the wheels of the Ugandan government turn slowly.

We are continuing to work on the ongoing improvement of our centre. We are truly grateful for any support we receive along the way!