Kampala Lord Mayor Lukwago Flown to India for Urgent Surgery due to Chronic Pain

Summary:

• Lord Mayor Lukwago of Kampala, Uganda, is undergoing urgent surgery in New Delhi, India, due to chronic pain in his left upper limb. Conservative treatments proved ineffective, leading to the recommendation for surgery. The decision to operate in India was made due to a lack of sufficient capacity in Uganda

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Lord Mayor Lukwago has been flown to New Delhi, India’s capital, for an urgent operation. Examiner has learned that he will receive treatment at Medanta Mediclinic Cybercity, following the recommendation of Dr. Norbert Orwotho, a Spine Surgeon and Consultant Orthopaedic at Mulago Hospital.

Dr. Orwotho’s April 13 medical report states that Lukwago requires immediate surgery after scans revealed chronic pain in his left upper limb, prompting visits to Rubaga and Nakasero hospitals in Kampala two months prior. Lukwago was diagnosed with C6-7 cervical discopathy and underwent various treatments, including pain medication and physiotherapy, with minimal relief.

As conservative treatments proved ineffective, surgical decompression with spinal fusion is recommended to alleviate Lukwago’s severe symptoms, according to Dr. Orwotho’s report.

The decision to undergo surgery in India stems from the lack of sufficient operative capacity in Uganda, as stated by Dr. Rishabh Kedia, Dr. Varindera Paul Singh, and Dr. Henry G. Mwebesa, Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health. Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) will cover Lukwago’s travel, treatment, and stay expenses in India.

Following approval from the Uganda Medical Board, Lukwago, accompanied by his brother, will undergo surgery in India. His family members anticipate a stay of three weeks to one month in New Delhi, depending on the treatment’s duration.

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