Overview
Established in the 1940s, The Surgery has become one of Kampala’s most respected international medical clinics. Serving expatriates, travelers, insured Ugandans, and charitable community partners, the clinic provides high-quality outpatient, urgent, emergency, and family medicine services. Its reputation for clinical excellence and patient-centered care has made it a trusted healthcare resource for both local and international populations.
Learners work directly with experienced physicians in a fast-paced environment that combines primary care, emergency medicine, tropical medicine, and travel health. The clinic’s strong teaching culture, diverse patient population, and broad range of medical conditions provide a unique opportunity to experience healthcare delivery in a modern international practice setting.
Location Information
Location & Community
Kampala is the capital city of Uganda, situated on the northern shore of Lake Victoria in eastern Africa. Makerere University, one of East and Central Africa’s premier educational institutions, is located in Kampala, as is the headquarters of the East African Development Bank. Despite its close proximity to the equator, the city has a moderate climate, largely due to its elevation of 4,000 feet/1,200 meters.
Become familiar with Uganda’s culture, history and economy by reviewing the Wikipedia Uganda Page. One rich resource for Uganda health information is the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation IHME Uganda Country Profile.
People Served
Those coming for care at The Surgery are mostly expatriates, tourists, wealthier Ugandans, and those working for entities that provided medical insurance – including airlines, embassies and NGOs located in Uganda. The Surgery patients tend to be more educated and well-to-do than mainstream Africans. The Surgery also offers charitable services, for example to street a children’s ministry and to orphanages, though these are not main populations served.
Languages
English is the most common language spoken in Kampala. The entire staff of The Surgery speak English, as do most all the patients. Other languages commonly used in the city include Swahili, Luganda, and Congolese.
Healthcare Facilities
The Surgery is an International Medical Clinic established in the 1940’s and is based on the General Practice model as followed by Britain, Canada and many other European countries. This 24-hour medical facility includes an ambulance service, emergency department, limited in-patient care, laboratory services, immunization, pediatrics, and family medicine.
The Surgery routinely provides care for a wide range of emergencies, including trauma, renal colic, myocardial infarction, severe malaria, meningitis, appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, severe respiratory infections, HIV multiple organ disease, and acute asthma. Comprehensive outpatient care is also provided, where schistosomiasis, amoebas, giardiasis, and malaria are commonly managed. Minor surgical procedures are performed at The Surgery, and major cases are referred to appropriate medical centers.
Healthcare Profession Staff
The Surgery is lead by Dr Richard Stockley, MBBS, a British trained general practitioner who graduated from the Liverpool School for Tropical Medicine. He has lived and worked in Uganda since 1984. He is joined by eight other physicians of Canadian, Australian, and Ugandan background.
Facility Support
INMED invites all participants to consider raising extra funds to financially support this facility. While such efforts are not required, they provide opportunity for INMED learners to become involved in this important aspect of international healthcare.
Communication
Mobile phones and calling cards can be purchased in Kampala. Internet cafes are plentiful.
Travel and Logistics
Visa Matters
For current information please visit the United States embassy website appropriate for one’s home nationality.
Traveler's Health & Safety
Travelers should consult with a personal physician before embarking. All routine vaccinations must be up to date. Refer to the CDC travel website for the most up-to-date health information.
Travelers are advised to refer to the United States State Department website for the most up-to-date general travel information, and to regularly view current travel advisories.
Learners Experience
Students from America, Germany and Australia regularly study at The Surgery. They report that the doctors are very eager to teach and provide insights on culture and medicine. Students find that the educational environment and standard of medical care at the Surgery is extremely high. Previous INMED Learners who served at this training site include these Graduates.
Transportation
Visitors to Uganda fly into the International Airport that serves the city of Kampala. Airport taxis await all planes and are available to take passengers into the city. The Surgery can also arrange a vehicle to transport visitors from the airport.
Lodging & Meals
Lodging is available at a guesthouse located near The Surgery. Lunch is provided on site, and restaurants and grocery shops are plentiful.
Behavior & Dress
Men should look smartly and wear a dress shirt and tie to work. Women wear skirts or dress pants and should be careful that their shoulders are always covered.
Recreation
Many students take advantage of their weekends in Uganda to visit game parks, particularly Murchison Falls National Park. White-water rafting on the Nile River is also popular.
What to Pack
Visitors should bring copies of all healthcare profession licenses, diplomas, or certifications. It is also recommended to pack a carry-on bag that has essentials items just in case one’s luggage becomes lost. Bring clothes appropriate for the weather. Most any item can be purchased in Kampala. A headlight or flashlight is important for the occasional power blackout. Water purification tablets may be handy for outings. The plug sockets are the same as in the UK, so a plug adapter set may be useful.