CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda (CURE Uganda) has reached a new milestone in advanced neurosurgery with the acquisition of a Brainlab Neuro Navigation System, a state-of-the-art piece of technology made possible by a special grant to purchase equipment for the hospital. This neuro navigation system enables greater precision in tumor resections, epilepsy surgeries, biopsies, and shunt placements – all improving patient outcomes. CURE Uganda is the first hospital in Uganda to implement this advanced system. And now, Uganda is one of only three countries in the East Africa region to adopt this revolutionary Brainlab technology, reaffirming CURE Uganda’s commitment to providing world-class pediatric neurosurgical care for vulnerable patients in need.
Dr. Emmanuel Wegoye, the Medical Director at CURE Uganda, explains, “The neuro-navigation system is like a GPS for the brain—it helps you localize where you (the surgeon) are. As surgeons, we are trained to identify locations by anatomical landmarks, but due to the variability of patients, these landmarks may not always be consistent. Brainlab augments our ability to use these landmarks to precisely delineate where the pathology is.”
The Brainlab system integrates data from CT or MRI scans with real-time electromagnetic tracking, enabling surgeons to plan and execute their procedures with unparalleled accuracy. This minimizes the risk of complications, reduces surgical time, and ensures better outcomes for the children entrusted in our care.
As the first installation of its kind in Uganda, the Brainlab system positions CURE Uganda at the forefront of neurosurgical innovation in Uganda. This pioneering step is expected to set new standards in surgical care and inspire other medical institutions to adopt similar technologies, thereby elevating the overall quality of healthcare in the region.
Dr. Wegoye emphasizes the impact of this technology, stating, “This tool allows us to identify small, discrete lesions with precision, which would be extremely difficult using only anatomical landmarks. With Brainlab, we can accurately determine the lesion’s size and location, enabling us to plan a more targeted approach. This precision allows for smaller incisions, leading to quicker recovery times
For the vulnerable children served by CURE Uganda, the Brainlab neuro-navigation system represents hope. Many of these children come from underserved communities and have limited access to advanced medical care. This technology’s enhanced precision and safety mean that more children can receive life-saving surgeries with better outcomes. Families can have increased confidence in their children’s care, knowing that the hospital employs cutting-edge technology to ensure the best possible results.
Tim Erickson, Executive Director of CURE Uganda, shared, “I am deeply grateful for the generous grant that enabled us to purchase the Brainlab Neuro Navigation System, a significant advance for our hospital and the first of its kind in Uganda. This technology will allow our neurosurgeons to perform surgeries with the highest precision, giving our vulnerable children from underserved communities access to the best available neurosurgical care!
Dr. Tshepang Tau, a specialist neurosurgeon at Life Groenkloof Hospital in Pretoria who was helping set up the Brain Lab system at CURE Uganda, adds, “The brain is a very sensitive organ, and every part is important. What Brainlab does is allow you to locate precisely where the lesion is, making surgeries safer and ensuring you don’t tamper with the rest of the brain. It reduces surgical time and complications, which is especially crucial when working with such a delicate organ.”
Dr. Tshepang offers words of encouragement to the team at CURE: “This is a new frontier for CURE Uganda, and I encourage them to be bold. With time and practice, you get used to it—and like me, you won’t want to operate without it.”
The integration of the Brainlab neuro-navigation system at CURE Uganda signifies a monumental advancement in pediatric neurosurgery in Uganda. This technology enhances the hospital’s surgical capabilities and reaffirms its commitment to providing comprehensive, compassionate care to Uganda’s most vulnerable children.
Beyond its medical advancements, CURE Uganda is deeply committed to holistic care that addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of its patients. The hospital’s integrated spiritual ministry offers counseling and support to children and their families, ensuring that healing encompasses more than just the physical ailment. This approach aligns with CURE’s core value of intentional relationships, which fosters an environment where patients are treated with dignity and respect.
To learn more about the work done at CURE Uganda, visit our overview page.
About the CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda
CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda has been a place of hope since opening its doors in 2001. It is one of Africa’s leading pediatric hospitals for brain surgery and the treatment of neurological conditions. Our teaching hospital has an 18-bed Intensive Care Unit and 59 ward beds, three operating rooms, and an outpatient clinic. In addition to world-class medical care, our team ministers to the emotional and spiritual needs of our patients and their communities.
