Emergency Medicine Uganda: Milestones...

MILESTONES ...........................

The growth of a child, though invisible to the naked eye, is as certain as night following day and vice versa. The joy that the first step or the first tooth or the first word brings to the parents is tangible and far reaching – a certain sign that a splendid 24-hour-365-day a year job is being done really well in the background!!

Thus was the feeling on the 9^th of January 2015, as EMU attained another milestone in its steady growth process.

The emergency medicine enthusiasts and “adrenaline junkies” gathered for their first ever meeting at the MUMSA canteen in Mulago Hospital, a heavily important agenda in tow. The meeting would set the stage for the formation of an association that would spearhead the growth of emergency medicine in Uganda – the fulfillment of dreams that had been held dear to this moment.

The agenda – review of the EMU Constitution, formation of the executive committee, EMU blog and activities for the year.

The Participants

Eight pioneering members – nurses and doctors with various specializations and one thing in common i.e. a love for emergency care, verve for developing the field thereby changing the fortunes of Ugandans who will need emergency care.

For a number of the team, it was the first time they would be meeting each other, whilst a time for reminiscing on the past for others. All in all, it was a rewarding experience for one and all.

The Meeting

The constitution was reviewed, edited and sent on to the people that write constitutions for panel beating and making more legally appropriate.

An executive committee was elected as a prerequisite for forming the association and formalizing the operations of the group.

The EMU blog, as a tool to build awareness of and the group, also formed a good bulk of the discussions. The traffic that it creates in building a readership and awareness of emergency medicine is a cornerstone for the growth of emergency medicine. Consequently, the members committed to making article contributions to the blog.

The End Game

L-R: Josephine, Michael, Elisha, Stone, Fred, Cliff, Annet, Joseph

From this we can see the reality of Emergency Medicine Uganda rising out of the shadows of our dreams to put on the flesh of Association and organization. The possibility that in the coming future, there will be an effective and efficient emergency response system that minimizes the impact of injuries and acute illnesses is just a bit more tangible.

EMU EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2015/17

· President: Joseph Kalanzi

· Vice President: Annet Alenyo Ngabirano

· General Secretary: Elisha Mullen Okaisu

· The Treasurer: Cliff Aliga Asher

· The Chairman Scientific committee: Fred Bulamba

· The Chairperson Disaster committe: Josephine Nabulime

· The Chairman Membership committee: Cornelius Ssendagire

· Communication /Public Relations: Lameck ssemogerere & Michael Lukoma

· Chairman Board: Tonny Luggya

· Patron: Arthur Kwizera

Onwards EMU!!!