Shalom Nadamba and her mother Hajara are visiting CoRSU hospital, a CBM partner. Shalom was diagnosed with bilateral bowed legs at age 1 and underwent surgery at CoRSU. © CBM

Expanding access to rehabilitation services in Uganda

Physical disabilities can severely impact lives, and in low and middle-income countries like Uganda, many people cannot afford the necessary aid or treatment. Inadequate healthcare often leads to untreated or poorly managed conditions, especially in rural areas where resources are scarce.

Uganda’s Challenges

In Uganda, 12.4% of the population aged five and above—around 4.5 million people—live with some form of disability. Women and rural communities are disproportionately affected due to limited access to healthcare. The shortage of healthcare professionals exacerbates these issues, leading to permanent disabilities, poverty, and stigma.

 

To address these challenges, CBM Uganda has opened a new disability rehabilitation centre at CoRSU Rehabilitation Hospital in Entebbe. This facility is designed to provide personalised care to 12,000 patients annually, including 7,500 children with physical disabilities. CBM has invested EUR 1.6 million in the centre, with an additional EUR 150,528 for advanced rehabilitation equipment.

Expanding Access and Capacity

Shalom was diagnosed with bilateral bowed legs at CoRSU Rehabilitation Centre in Uganda © CBM
Shalom was diagnosed with bilateral bowed legs at CoRSU Rehabilitation Centre in Uganda

The new centre was created to meet the growing demand for rehabilitation services. It offers comprehensive care under one roof and includes facilities for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and other essential services. The centre’s expanded capacity will improve care quality and accessibility, reducing the burden on the previous facility.

 

Key Benefits

  • Improved Accessibility: Bringing high-quality rehabilitation services closer to those in need.
  • Comprehensive Care: Offering a wide range of services in one location.
  • Local Capacity Building: Training healthcare professionals in rehabilitation medicine.
  • Community Outreach: Educating the public to reduce stigma and promote early intervention.
  • Research and Innovation: Advancing treatment protocols and understanding of rehabilitation outcomes.

Our work in 2023

  • 193,765 people were reached with physical rehabilitation services

  • 8,379 operations were performed by our partners

  • 27,011 people received assistive devices

Commitment to inclusion

After months of intensive rehabilitation, Shalom regained full use of her legs and is back in school. © CBM
After months of intensive rehabilitation, Shalom regained full use of her legs and is back in school.

This new centre is part of CBM’s long-standing commitment to community-based inclusive development in Uganda. It exemplifies the practical implementation of policies designed to benefit those with disabilities, laying the foundation for a more inclusive healthcare system in Uganda.

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.” 

 

You may also be interested in