RDF deploys Level 2 hospital under UN Mission in CAR

Rwanda Defence Forces has started deploying hospital services to Centre Africa Republic. Maj. Dr King Kayondo, who will be supervising the Level 2 hospital, said the action is under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (Minusca).

Tuesday, January 20, 2015
An ambulance and other equipment loaded on a truck at Kanombe Military Barracks prepare to depart for Central African Republic yesterday. (John Mbanda)

Rwanda Defence Forces has started deploying hospital services to Centre Africa Republic.

Maj. Dr King Kayondo, who will be supervising the Level 2 hospital, said the action is under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (Minusca).

He said the hospital (at the level of district) will be treating all military personnel serving under the umbrella of the UN Mission and other UN personnel but he stressed that the services can be extended to civilians due to commitment.

Kayondo addresses the media.

"This is the first hospital service mission we are carrying out in UN Mission,” Dr Kayondo said.The deployed equipment, such as cars and ambulances, are joining others being installed like the labs and hospital equipment already brought on the field.

They will pass through Gatuna to Mombasa in Kenya then to Duara in Cameroon and, finally, to Bangui, the capital of the restive central African state.

Dr Kayondo said the Level 2 Hospital will have general surgical, internal medicine, anaesthesia, radiology, among others.

Technicians fasten a truck onto its loader at Kanombe barracks yesterday ready to be transported. (All photos by John Mbanda)

The medical personnel, who will join in a month, comprise 69 staff, including specialists.

The hospital capabilities include treating up to 40 ambulatory out-patients per day, providing three intensive care beds, evacuating casualty to the next level of medical care, perform three to four surgical operations with anaesthesia per day, and hospitalisation for up to 20 patients.

It also includes performing up to 10 basic radiological examinations per day, treating up to 10 dental cases per day as well as performing essential diagnostic, laboratory tests up to 20 tests per day, adequate medical supplies and consumables to be self-sufficient for up to 60 days.

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