Aline, a third-year surgical resident from Switzerland, never imagined that a conference in her home country would lead to an unforgettable experience halfway across the world. It all started when she met Dr. Dennis Okwi, a Ugandan surgeon, at a medical conference in Switzerland. The two became friends. Soon after, Dr. Okwi invited Aline to Uganda for a learning exchange—a rare opportunity for any young doctor. Eager to learn and grow in a new environment, Aline agreed and thus began her incredible journey.
Her adventure in Uganda began with a two-month stay at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda’s largest and most well-known medical facility. She quickly noticed the stark differences between the bustling, crowded hospital in the capital and the quieter, more community-oriented atmosphere of St. Mary’s hospital Lacor. “The differences between Mulago and Lacor are already quite big,” Aline shared. “Lacor has more materials available, and a slightly better overall level of care for patients. But what struck me the most was the community atmosphere at Lacor hospital. The staff here live and work around the hospital, and it truly becomes a part of their lives.”
Despite spending only three weeks at Lacor hospital, Aline felt deeply connected to the people and the hospital. It didn’t take long for her to form strong bonds with her colleagues. “The teamwork here is incredible,” Aline said. “Even in the middle of the night, when you’re on-call, there’s always someone available to help, whether it’s taking care of a patient or assisting in the operating theatre. You’re never alone.” This level of camaraderie and collaboration is notable.
Though her time in Uganda was short, Aline’s experience was not without challenges. “The language barrier and the difference in practices can be overwhelming at times,” she admitted. “But that’s also where I learned and grew the most. As a doctor, I had to adapt quickly to a different culture and different approaches to care.” Despite these challenges, Aline felt that the challenges only made her a better surgeon. “In Uganda, you have to improvise a lot. Sometimes we have very few resources or poor instruments, and you can’t always rely on having everything you need. But that forces you to be creative and find ways to do the best you can for your patients. It’s taught me a new level of resilience.”
Aline with surgeons of Lacor hospital
Aline’s connection with the Ugandan medical team was not limited to just her colleagues. During her time in Uganda, she also formed lasting friendships with the medical officers she worked with closely. “The people here are so welcoming. It’s easy to make friends, and I really felt like part of the team. I became close with Dr. Okwi, who was the one who brought me here, and also with Dr. David Nyeko and some of the medical officers at Lacor hospital. We spent so much time together in and out of the hospital.”
When asked if her experience in Uganda had an impact on her career, Aline was quick to respond, “Definitely. I’ve done so many surgeries here, which are helping me with my logbook for my specialization. The opportunity to work in a different setting, with different challenges, has made me more confident in my surgical skills. In Switzerland, sometimes if we don’t have a specific instrument, it’s seen as a huge problem. But here, I’ve learned that it’s not about having everything—it’s about finding a way to do what’s best for the patient with what you have.”
Aline’s surgical training focuses on abdominal surgery, and she noted that many of the cases she saw in Uganda were more advanced than those she typically encounters in Switzerland. “Patients here often wait too long before seeking help, and some first visit traditional healers before coming to the hospital. By the time they get to us, their condition is usually more advanced.” Despite this, Aline was impressed by the dedication of the medical staff, who worked tirelessly with limited resources to care for their patients.
On the cultural side, Aline did her best to immerse herself in the local language, but she admitted it wasn’t easy. “I tried to learn Acholi, but with my poor language skills, it was tough. I did manage to learn a few words in Luganda when I was in Kampala, but my focus was more on the medical side than on language acquisition,” she laughed. “But the people here are so friendly, it wasn’t hard to adjust to the culture.”
Looking back at her time in Uganda, Aline had a piece of advice for the medical community at Lacor hospital: “Keep up the good work. Always strive to improve the care you give to your patients. And don’t forget to take care of yourselves and your staff. I know how hard it is to work in healthcare, but it’s important to ensure everyone is well taken care of.”
Aline’s time in Uganda has left a lasting impression on her. Though she’s not sure what the future holds, she knows one thing for sure—she’ll return. “I’ve been thinking a lot about how I can use the skills I’ve learned here in Switzerland to help people in low-income settings like Uganda. But first, I have to finish my specialization and become an expert in my field. Then, I hope to come back and make a difference.”
As her time in Uganda came to a close, Aline reflected on her stay with a smile. “I’ve loved my experience here, and I’ll take these lessons with me for the rest of my career. And of course, the fruit juices—passion fruit and mango—are unforgettable!”
Despite being away from home, Aline wasn’t alone. Her boyfriend joined her in Uganda, and together they explored the town of Gulu. Aline also shared the joys of mango season, as the trees around the guesthouse were laden with ripe mangoes.
“Uganda has been an incredible journey. The people, the experiences, the challenges—they’ve all shaped me into a better doctor and person. I’ll always carry a piece of Uganda with me, and hopefully, one day, I can give back to this wonderful community.”
