Urology Treatment in Uganda Cost, Doctors, and Hospitals

Overview

Urology conditions include prostate problems, bladder problems, kidney stones, infections, and urinary tract. The urologist uses modern techniques and equipment to treat the patients. Every six out of one person faces urinary system problems. And for uro-surgery Uganda provided various services with the best doctors, hospitals, facilities, and affordable prices. In this article, we will know about the Procedure, Urologist Doctors, the best hospital for the treatment, and the Urology Treatment in Uganda Cost.

What is Urology?

Urology is also known as genitourinary surgery. It is a branch of medicine that deals with the treatment of conditions involving the female and male urinary tract and male reproductive organs.
The urinary tract involves Kidneys, bladders, ureters, and urethra. And male reproductive organs such as the testes, penis, prostate, scrotum, etc. The urological problem can happen to anyone, so it is very important to maintain urological health.

People who specialize in the field of urology is been known as a urologist. They are been trained to diagnose, detect, and treat a group of disorders. Urology is a surgical specialty. Besides surgery, urology doctors also deal with internal medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, etc. The scope of urology is vast and the American Urological Association has named 7 subspecialty parts

• Neurology (nervous system control of genitourinary organs)
• Pediatric Urology
• Female Urology
• Urologic Oncology
• Calculi (urinary tract stones)
• Male Infertility
• Renal Transplant

In certain cases such as cancer of the urinary tract, urologists may need to work with oncologists. And also need to collaborate with nephrologists who deal with kidney conditions, gynaecologists for female reproductive system, and endocrinologists for the conditions related to endocrine system.

Urinary System

What are urology symptoms?

• Blood in the urine.
• Changes in the urinary pattern.
• Frequent need to urinate.
• Inability to urinate.
• Incontinence (difficulty holding urine or leaking)
• Pain in the lower abdomen.
• Pain when you urinate.
• Weak or hesitant urinary stream.

Urology Treatment in Uganda

In men a urologist treats

• varicoceles
• urinary tract infections
• prostatitis
• kidney stones
• kidney diseases
• interstitial cystitis
• infertility
• erectile dysfunction
• prostate gland enlargement
• cancers of the bladder
• Cancer of kidneys, penis, testicles, and adrenal and prostate glands

In women a urologist treats

• urinary incontinence
• UTIs
• overactive bladder
• kidney stones
• interstitial cystitis
• cancers of the bladder, kidneys, and adrenal glands
• bladder prolapse

In Children

• undescended testicles
• blockages and other problems with the urinary tract structure
• bed-wetting

Urology Medical Services in Uganda

Stone Surgery

Treats kidney stones using

• Uretero-lithotripsy (URSL)
• Retrograde Intra renal surgery (RIRS)
• Percutaneous nephrolithotrispsy (PCNL)
• Laser lithotripsy

Pediatric Urological Surgery

Treats children born with disorders in the urinary and genital tract. Such as

• Abnormal external genitalia
• Rare deformities like babies born with bladders outside
• Abnormal opening of the urethra
• Blocked bladders (posterior urethral valves)
• Undescended testicles of children’s Blocked Kidneys

Andrology Services

Treatments for male reproductive disorders such as

• Infertility in men
• Sexual difficulties in women
• Disorders of ejaculation
• Disorders like erections

Endourology Services

It is a minimally invasive technique used to inspect the urinary tract and perform surgery. The surgeons are specially trained to perform this type of surgery. Because the surgery is been performed using specialized instruments that don’t require opening the skin; rather a surgical thin and flexible tool is been inserted called an endoscope.

Treatment includes

• Laparoscopic Surgery for ureter, bladder, and kidney surgical diseases
• Examining the cystoscopy and ureteroscopy
• Endoscopic removal and biopsy of tumors in the kidney, ureter, and bladder.
• Removal of the enlarged prostate gland
• Removal of stones from the urinary tract including laser lithotripsy

Reconstructive Urology

Reconstructive surgery is a surgery to repair, reroute, or recreate the areas of the upper and lower urinary tract and reproductive organs. A urologist treats to restores the organs that are been deformed at birth or any injury. The areas like:

• Urethral Strictures
• Hermaphrodites
• Bladder exstrophy
• The penis like in hypospadias and epispadias

Uro-Oncology

A urology oncologist deals with diagnosing and treating cancer of the male and female urinary tract. They are been trained to treat urinary tract malignancies using a variety of technologies and tools to treat the disease.

• Cancer of the urethra
• Cancer of the testicles
• Prostate cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Ureter cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Penis cancer

Diagnostic Test performed for Urology illness

• Urodynamic testing
• Imaging of the urinary tract ( x-ray, ultrasound, MRI scan, CT scan, and radionuclide scans)
• Medical tests for Prostate Problems
• Cystoscopy (To find problems such as urinary tract infections, hematuria, urinary frequency, urinary retention, Urination pain (before, after, and during urine), and abnormal cells.)
• Ureteroscopy ( Uses to see any stone in the ureter, and any problematic, tissue, tumors, etc.)

Specialty Surgical Tools for Urology Surgery

Procedure a Urologist performs

After visiting a urologist they will perform various tests as discussed above. It is a procedure to check and understand the condition you have:

• Tests such as CT scans, MRI scans, etc. are been performed to see inside the urinary tract.
• They can also perform a cystogram (it involves taking an X-ray image of the bladder)
• Cystoscopy is been performed by your urologist. It involves using a thin scope called a cystoscope to see inside the urethra and bladder.
• Post-void residual urine test to check how fast urine leaves your body during urination.
• A urine sample is also taken to check urine for bacteria that cause infections.
• Urodynamic testing to measure pressure and volume inside the bladder.

Most common Urology Surgery Procedures

For Outpatient Procedures

• Scrotoplasty
• Repair of buried penis
• Orchiopexy
• Mentoplasty
• Inguinal hernia repair
• Hypospadias
• Excision hydrocele
• Cystoscopy
• Circumcision

For Inpatient Procedures

• Ureteral stent placement
• Ureteral reimplants
• Pyeloplasty
• Nephrectomy

Different types of surgery that a urologist performs 

• Vasectomy to prevent pregnancy
• Ureteroscopy (to remove stones in the ureter and kidney)
• Transurethral needle ablation of the prostate ( to remove excess tissue from an enlarged prostate)
• Sling procedure\
• Prostatectomy (removal of the prostate gland to treat prostate cancer)
• Repair of urinary organs
• Repair to open a blockage
• Kidney Transplant
• Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy
• Cystectomy
• Biopsies

Top Doctors for Urology Treatment in Uganda

Dr. Frank Asiimwe

• He is a general surgeon and a trainer for Fistula Surgery.
• Dr. Asiimwe performed more than 500 fistula surgeries.
• He developed his surgical skills at Kitovu Hospital in Uganda.
• Currently, studying in Tanzania to become a urologist.
• Head of the urology department at Mulago National Referral Hospital

Dr. Rosemary Nassanga

• 1st women Urologist in East Africa.
• Pursued Master of Science in Urology at Tumaini University in Moshi Tanzania
• Surgical Training in Urology at Brighton Royal Country Hospital
• Treats children who born with hypospadias
• Founding member of the Urological Association of Uganda
• Served as Executive Committee of the Association of Surgeons in Uganda

Dr. Daniel (Dan) Namuguzi

• He is a Urologist and lecturer at the College of Health Science at Makerere University
• 12 years of experience in the field of surgery and teaching.
• Fellow of COSECSA (College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa).
• Researched in the field of Circumcision for HIV prevention with Uganda VRI (Virus Research Institute).
• Member of Professional bodies.
• Founding Member of Platinum Hospital Kampala.

Dr. Godfrey Nabunwa

• He is a urologist at Lubaga Hospital
• Qualification – MBCHB, MMED-urology
• Specialized as a Urologist in central Kampala, Kampala, Uganda.

Dr. Joseph Epodoi

• He is a Senior Consultant Surgeon and Urologist Head of Dept. Surgery
• Dr. Joseph’s areas of interest are Medical Education, Advanced Urology and renal transplant, Open and Endoscopic Urology, War Surgery, and General Surgery
• Fellowship in Urology with the College of Surgeons of East and Central Africa.

Some Other Top Urology Surgeon in Uganda

• Dr. Genga Stephen Watya
• Dr. Henry Dabanja
• Dr. Eugene Guosayev
• Dr. Samuel Kaggwa
• Dr. Jack Mukiibi Sengero Luyombya
• Dr. Moses Magezi
• Dr. Joseph Benon Masaba

Best Hospital for Urology Treatment in Uganda

International Hospital Kampala – Urology

At IHK, the consultant offers diagnosis and treatment services to the male and female urinary tract.

Procedures include

• Ureterorenoscope Lithaltripsy
• Direct Visual Internal Urethrotomy
• Trans Urethral Resection of Bladder Tumors
• Trans-Urethral Resection of the Prostate
• Bladder Neck Incision

Minimally Invasive Procedures are

• Laparoscopic Surgery
• Percutaneous Nephro Lithotripsy

UroCare Hospital – Urology

• It is a specialized clinic dedicated to nephrology and urology.
• This hospital provides low-cost, high-quality, high-volume, and hi-tech specialized care.
• The hospital provides urology services in the areas of Pediatric urological surgery, Andrology services, uro-oncology, Endourology, and Safe Male Circumcision.

Kampala Hospital – Urology

At Kampala Hospital they provide a wide range of specialized services for both men and women.

Areas of Expertise:

• Urological Cancers
• Urethral Stricture
• Bed Wetting and Phimosis
• Epididymal cyst, Hydrocodone, and other abnormalities.
• BPH Prostate Enlargement
• Cystoscopy for evaluation of urinary tract symptoms.
• Female Urinary Incontinence
• Urodynamic Study
• Sexual Dysfunction

UMC Victoria Hospital – Urology

At UMC, they provide complete diagnosis and treatment for laparoscopic surgery, reconstructive urology surgery, prostate diseases, pediatric urology, stone disease, pediatric renal transplant, and andrology.

Lubaga Hospital – Urology

Lubaga Hospital provides specialty services for the treatment of conditions of the female and male urinary tract. They offer open and endoscopic surgery for urinary disorders.

New Kampala Urology Hospital – UroCare

The hospital aims to keep patients in Uganda because many Ugandan people travel aboard for medical treatment such as Urology treatment. But, now Uganda has opened a new hospital in Kampala to offer excellent services to the Uganda people. Dr. Stephen Watya treats patients at UroCare Hospital in Uganda. He is one of the Urologist doctors in Uganda. Dr. Watya noticed that urology treatment in Uganda is necessary to open due to patient requirements. So, he established UroCare Hospital to treat all urological patients.

In 2018, Dr. Watya performed 300 operations and cared for 3,000 urological patients. By using, specialized doctors, high technology, high-quality care, and relatively low cost so that a patient can afford. Dr. Watya is a Urologist trained at the University of Cape Town in SA. His hope is to develop better care and medical services for Uganda people for urology treatment and wants people to know UroCare as a center of medical excellence.

Once, Dr. Frank Asiimwe (Head of Urology Dept. at Mulago National Referral Hospital), said that “UroCare has the best urology services and equipment in the country.”

Medical Insurance coverage in Uganda

Medical or Health Insurance is a type of insurance that will cover all your medical expenses that arise due to an illness. The expenses it can cover related to hospitalization costs, medication costs, or doctor consultation fees.

Benefits of a medical insurance

• Enhance coverage via the no claim Bonus feature
• Reimburses ambulance charges
• Provides for domiciliary treatment
• Ensure funding for alternative treatment
• Offers a cashless claim benefit
• Gives specialized coverage for critical illnesses
• Ensures access to preventive care
• Offers to fund hospitalization
• Covers ambulatory patient services

The insurance companies and Health Membership Organizations licensed by the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda provide health Insurance services in Uganda. The 2 types of health insurance in Uganda are Micro Care Insurance and East African Underwriters. But, there are many other insurance companies that provide health insurance and are been accepted by many hospital such as

• IAA Health Care
• Prudential Insurance
• Jubilee Insurance
• AAR Health Services
• Grand Micro Insurance Ltd
• APA Insurance
• Liberty Life Insurance
• UAP Insurance Uganda and many more

Urology Treatment in Uganda Cost

Other factors that affect Urology Costs in Uganda

• Surgery-related expenses: Pre and post-surgery expenses
• Surgical Facility
• Type of Surgical Approach: new techniques, technologies, and instrument use.
• Type of Surgery: Laparoscopic surgery, open surgery, etc.
• Urologist fees: It charges differently for different surgeons depending on the experienced, skilled, and certified surgeons.