The Impact of Bodaboda Motor Crashes on the Budget for Clinical Services at Mulago Hospital; Kampala

Background: Bodabodas are a common form of transport and are becoming a major cause of road traffic accidents in Uganda. We evaluated the magnitude of injuries related to bodabodas and their impact on clinical services at Mulago hospital. Methods: This was a retrospective review of all trauma patients who presented at Mulago hospital emergency ward between June and August 2008 following bodaboda crash. The hospital costs involved in their management were obtained from the office of the hospital statistician. Results: Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) were the leading cause of trauma and bodabodas were involved in 41of all trauma patients.The average duration of stay was 8.3 days.The average cost to maintain a bodaboda patient was determined at Uganda shillings 700;359/ or the equivalent of US $369. Bodaboda injuries consumed 62.5of the budget allocation for the directorate of surgery; Mulago Hospital. Conclusions: Bodabodas are a major cause of traumatic injuries among cases seen in the surgical emergency department at Mulago and the costs incurred by the hospital in managing these injuries are enormous. Efforts should be made to reduce the menace that is brought about by bodaboda motorcycle crashes. Resources currently being spent on treating injuries resulting from accidents involving bodabodas would then be used to improve the care of other patients

Musculoskeletal trauma services in Uganda.

Approximately 2000 lives are lost in Uganda annually through road traffic accidents. In Kampala, they account for 39% of all injuries, primarily in males aged 16-44 years. They are a result of rapid motorization and urbanization in a country with a poor economy. Uganda's population is an estimated 28 million with a growth rate of 3.4% per year. Motorcycles and omnibuses, the main taxi vehicles, are the primary contributors to the accidents. Poor roads and drivers compound the situation. Twenty-three orthopaedic surgeons (one for every 1,300,000 people) provide specialist services that are available only at three regional hospitals and the National Referral Hospital in Kampala. The majority of musculoskeletal injuries are managed nonoperatively by 200 orthopaedic officers distributed at the district, regional and national referral hospitals. Because of the poor economy, 9% of the national budget is allocated to the health sector. Patients with musculoskeletal injuries in Uganda frequently fail to receive immediate care due to inadequate resources and most are treated by traditional bonesetters. Neglected injuries typically result in poor outcomes. Possible solutions include a public health approach for prevention of road traffic injuries, training of adequate human resources, and infrastructure development.

Congenital Talipes Equinovarus Deformity (CTEVD): The Importance of Early Treatment

The purpose of this paper it to emphasise the importance of early detection and treatment of Congenital Talipes Equinovarus deformity (CTEVD). This deformity commonly known as Clubfoot often presents late for medical treatment in our sub-region. This is mainly due to socio-economic factors and probably cultural beliefs. The majority of patients operated on at the Department of Orthopaedics; at Mulago Hospital are normally the variety of neglected Clubfeet. Early detection and treatment of Clubfeet has better prognosis than delayed or neglected Clubfeet. The earlier correction is established; the lower the likelihood of relapses