Kamenge University Hospital short of specialists

Patients report a great scarcity of specialists at Kamenge University hospital (CHUK). The reality that the management of the hospital regrets.

Deputy Director in charge of care at Kamenge University hospital regrets the suspension of post graduate studies in Medicine faculty.

On 13 June, Iwacu met a hopeless mother at Kamenge University Hospital (CHUK) commonly called “Hôpital Roi Khaled”. She was looking for a doctor to operate the tongue of her six-month-old child in agony since birth. She goes back home empty-handed because the reception desk says the doctor is not available. She was told to come back three days later.

Two weeks ago, there was a young woman who was caring for her family member admitted to the hospital. He was suffering from liver cancer. The young woman says she only received visits from nurses.

According to her, the nurses say: “The hospital has developed, doctors consult patients from a distance via their cell phones”. She regrets the lack of specialists at the hospital because they spend most of the time in their private offices.

The hospital regrets the suspension of the post graduate studies

Dr. Léonard Bivahagumye, deputy director in charge of care, confirms the lack of specialists. “Gynecology is the most affected department”, he says. He indicates that the main reason is the suspension of the post graduate studies in Medicine faculty. “The government canceled the post graduate program, formerly administered at Roi Khaled Hospital since 2014.”

He also mentions a large number of doctors who had gone abroad for trainings but who have not been replaced so far.
Dr. Bivahagumye says the scarcity of specialists affects all departments. “At least one doctor has left from each service”, he says. However, he ensures: “three non specialists, two gynecologists, temporary doctors in the emergency department and pediatrics were recruited.” He also says the hospital has asked for permission to replace the doctors who left but the government’s decision to not recruit in the public institutions was a barrier.

Dr. Bivahagumye denies that there are consultations carried out via phones. “This does not exist at Kamenge University Hospital (CHUK)”, he says. He acknowledges that specialists consult in their private offices but outside working hours. He says they signed a contract of five half days a week at the hospital. “It is up to them to organize themselves provided they respect these five half days”, Dr. Bivahagumye says.