The brain surgeon of the day

As a child, I always wanted to become a surgeon when I grow up. But as time went on I did not perform well in science subjects because I had more love for Arts, Photography, Painting and Home economics, without realizing it I lost my goal for becoming a surgeon. But Yesterday I got a chance to experience what it means to be a surgeon.

Dr. Esther Namirimu;Surgeon of the day

Dr. Esther Namirimu

Because of my fear of fresh blood, I did more of arts and crafts as a teenager. The sight of too much blood would make me sick. I could not even stand and watch students doing experiments of frogs. I realized that being a surgeon is something I loved but could not do.

Dr. Esther Namirimu

Dr. Esther Namirimu going to the Theatre

When I joined University, i decided to study Journalism majoring in Photojournalism and Print. Until now I love writing, reading and researching about Health issues. Recently, I got a chance to visit the Mulago National Referral Hospital Theatre as Surgeons were operating on victims of brain injury.

Doctors discuss results of a head scan. Photo/Esther Namirimu

Before the Operations started Doctors had to analyze the results of the head scan.  It was not easy imagining looking at someone's head cut open and bisected.

Before I entered the Operating room, I was asked to go and change into clean disinfected clothes and rubber shoes. Rubber shoes do not make noise on the ground as someone walks.

Ola la lah, I felt like a surgeon already. Then I was told about the rules of the Theatre; which included not touching any medical equipment without permission, not moving anything to a different position.

Being a careful person, those rules were just a piece of cake for me.

I went into the Operating Theatre with a group of doctors some of whom had come from Duke University North Carolina USA to help Ugandan surgeons.

The team expected to operate more than 40 people but they managed to operate a few of them because some of the cases took long hours than expected.

Twenty four patients with major brain complications had successful surgeries during a one week Neurosurgery camp at Mulago National referral hospital.

The most interesting bit of the Operating Theatre is that there was some soothing music playing. One doctor said that playing music was very advantageous in many ways; to keep the doctors relaxed, alert from getting bored and doozing off.

A brain operation going on. Photo by Esther Namirimu

Music in the Operating Theatre has immeasurable effects. It can prevent distraction, minimize annoyance, reduce stress and diminish the anxiety of patients, staff and users.

An operation.  photo/ Esther Namirimu

The role of music during surgery has been studied, both for its effect during the operation and afterwards, when patient recovers. Patients may not know when music is being played during their procedure in the Operating Theatre. However, if they do, it has been shown to have an immeasurable effect and also rest their minds. In fact, it is now known that some patients request for music to be played during their procedure.

The magic of sound, when scientifically applied, has been shown to contribute in greater measure to relief human suffering. Thus, music can be employed as an aid in obtaining physical, emotional and spiritual well being of human beings. Music in the Operating Theatre reduces stress. It lifts mood of staff and users, making the operating theatre a more pleasant work environment.

The head of Neurosurgery ward Dr. Michael Muhumuza said that the patients, who were prepared and not worked on, will be operated by Mulago surgeons and those with complicated cases will have to wait for the next camp.

Dr. Muhumuza explains the results of the head scan

Muhumuza said, “a major complicated case took about eight hours,” the patients’ also included six children with congenital defects.Some of the cases that were managed include Brain tumors, Spinal code tumors, congenital defects and head injuries.

A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within the brain, which can be cancerous or non-cancerous (benign). Muhumuza added that during the camp, they faced with the problem of enough space in the Theatre.

“Although we have three theatres for our patients we would have loved to have more,” some of the symptoms of brain tumor include; headaches which don’t improve with pain killers, sight problems and nausea among others.

After a successful brain surgery

Recovering after a successful surgery

The hospital’s director Dr. Baterana Byarugaba said government is finalizing plans to do all cases of Neurosurgeries in the Country than referring patients abroad.

This lady suffered a head injury after getting involved in an accident. She is now recovering after a successful surgery

He appealed to Boda-Boda Cyclists and passengers to use helmets in order to minimize cases of head injuries. Most victims of Head injuries are Boda boda guys who get accidents at night. And they need immediate operation.