Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide quality accessible pre-hospital emergency care to the people of Kampala, transcending the boundaries of class and economic status.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

EMS in Uganda is a confusing combination of public and private operators. There is no official government control, no standards of care and operation, and no cooperation between the organizations to allow the system to operate with any efficiency at all.

There is an interesting and typical history to this. In 2012 the Ugandan Government decided that it was time for a unified, fully-funded, national EMS system. Plans were to have this in place for the Papal visit in 2015. Between 35 and 40 new ambulances were purchased and equipped at great cost. Over 400 people were trained to operate those units. All was in place by the deadline and, suddenly funding stopped completely. The ambulances were sidelined, either broken down due to lack of maintenance or because they were stripped for parts and supplies. Many of them ended out in the hands of private operators or private hospitals, others can been seen as rusted out hulks in some of the auto junkyards in the city. Some can even be seen being used as commercial vehicles with all the ambulance markings still clearly in view.

The trained workers, most of whom were on contract, had those contracts cancelled or not renewed. Some of them found jobs with for-profit private companies, but most of them had to find employment elsewhere.

There are many ambulances in the City of Kampala. A few of them still operate under the Ministry of Health banner, with the operators often charging the patients directly to make a living and keep the units running with fuel and maintenance. They are very poorly equipped, and not available consistently or at costs that allow universal access.

Some private hospitals and Community Health Centres possess their own ambulances. Many of these are former Ministry of Health program ambulances that have somehow changed hands. They are rarely used for emergencies, instead being utilized for inter-hospital transfers and staff transport. We saw several of them in action during our stay, and they are not capable in their present states to offer emergency service. Most of them contained no medical equipment or supplies at all – a cot with no straps in a van with lights and siren was the best they could lay claim to.

Several private companies offer treatment and transport with modern and well stocked units, These companies cater primarily to the wealthy, expatriates, and government officials. The fees they charge are exorbitant, and far beyond the means of the common people.

EMS is the weak and mostly missing link in the system. Patients can be treated to at least a BLS level at the local health centres, which charge a small amount for service but frequently will work pro bono if the patient has no money. The referral hospitals are able to provide treatment once a patient gets there, but transport between those sites presently is on foot, bodaboda (motorcycle taxis), Matatu (crowded van taxi) or frequently not at all. Patients involved in motor vehicle accidents frequently die on scene, but are often transported either by private vehicle if someone feels charitable, or in the back of a police pickup once the investigation is complete.

The Society objective is to create and operate a community based Emergency Medical Services program in economically disadvantaged areas of Uganda. To this end the society will:

1. 1. Create, train, equip, and support teams of volunteer First Responders to do first contact medical treatment in their local areas.

1. 1. Train a segments of this group to an Emergency Medical Responder level, making it possible for them to practice at the World Health Organization minimum level for EMS.

1. 1. Train selected advanced practitioners in ambulance operations.

1. 1. Purchase, equip, stock, and staff ambulances to be based in areas where need is greatest.

1. 1. Set up a local organization to do the day-to-day administration. Provide ongoing financial, operational, and educational support.

1. 1. Enter into agreements with Ugandan individuals and organizations to support, house, and maintain ambulances and crews.

1. Establish teams of experts to conduct education and administration programs in Uganda.