Lira University teaching Hospital gets cancer screening machine
By Denis Okello (denis.okello@vol.co.ug)
Lira
Lira University teaching hospital has acquired cancer screening and other medical supplies as the hospital embraces telemedicine, a practice which allows the remote delivery of healthcare services.
Dr Tom Okello, a senior Surgeon and the Director of Clinical Services at the Teaching Hospital says that using the recently procured computer system stuffed with specialized software application screen and computerized microscopic machine, healthcare providers at the facility can now evaluate, diagnose and treat patients.
Dr Okello adds that applying telecommunications technology such as computers for video conferencing with other specialized doctors from across the world and electronic devices like smartphones has boosted and enhanced diagnosis of patients’ illnesses including cancer.
Okello says that there is no need to refer suspected cancer patients to National Cancer Institute, Mulago, because they are now able to share the sample electronically with specialized cancer doctors for further action and diagnosis, hence cutting the costs of travelling and others on the patients’ side.
Dr Okello reveals that telemedicine services at the hospital aims at reducing the time it takes for people to access health care at the facility and increases access to all categories of patients including the poor and disabled persons.
Dr Tom Okello noted that the Teaching Hospital has also acquired a modern and digital Diagnostic ultrasound machine used to evaluate a patient’s internal organs including during pregnancy to check the baby’s development and to help pick up any abnormalities.
He encouraged pregnant women to prefer delivering at the hospital for more safety and access better and enhanced service delivery by experienced specialized doctors.
