CURE Opens Largest Specialized Pediatric ICU Building in Uganda

The CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda (CURE Uganda) is the world’s foremost neurosurgical hospital, treating children suffering from brain conditions such as hydrocephalus, spina bifida, and tumors. 

Over its 21-year history, the hospital has expanded and improved its facility to ensure that all patients have access to the safest care possible. The nature of neurosurgery requires that each patient stay overnight for observation in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after their surgery. 

The hospital’s existing ICU wasn’t able to handle an increased patient volume and the hospital had to postpone new patient surgeries until some of the children in the ICU could be safely moved to the ward. 

On September 22, 2022 CURE Uganda opened a new specialized pediatric ICU building, setting a new benchmark for surgical care for children with treatable disabilities. The building was funded by CURE’s affiliate in Canada

Dr. Diana Atwine Ahamada Washaki, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Heath, cuts the ribbon to CURE Uganda’s new ICU.

Speaking at the grand opening ceremony, guest of honor Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine Ahamada Washaki, said,

“I am amazed at the power of having a vision and commitment, and you walk that path until you achieve it,” says Dr. Diana Atwine Ahamada Washaki. “I love the mission you stand for; I love the values you uphold; I love the culture of work that you have; I love the environment that you create for our people; I love that you value quality; I love the spiritual component of your service – that you care for the whole person, and you let the children know that they are special to God.”


Dr. Diana Atwine Ahamada Washaki, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, and CURE President/CEO, Justin Narducci, address the guests at the grand opening event.

Fully Equipped for Critical Care

The new eighteen-bed ICU is fully equipped with piped oxygen, medical air, modern ventilators, wall suctions, infusion pumps, and other critical care devices and accessories. It is the largest pediatric ICU in the country.

An aerial view of CURE Uganda’s new ICU and its celebration. Photo Credit: Siko Consultants, Ltd.

“Our capacity to perform more surgeries a day while still doing critical care services will expand significantly,” says Tim Erickson, Executive Director of CURE Uganda. “We will be able to increase our capacity to treat more children by 80%. For surgery volume, we will be able to reach our future surgical goals of more than 2,000 children each year.”

Inside the new ICU, Dr. Emmanuel Wegoye high-fives Ian, a five-year-old patient who had surgery for a brain tumor.
Photo of the CURE International Canada

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