Over 2300 patients across the 13 districts that make up Ankole subregion have benefitted from a free medical camp organised in the area.
The association of surgeons say the surgeries conducted were above shs8billion if each patients was to pay money.
According to Prof Moses Galukande the president of the Association of Surgeons of Uganda, all the surgeries were free of charge but decried of the overwhelming numbers.
"We were anticipating to carry out atleast 100 surgeries per each center but we were overwhelmed. In Lugazi, Rubirizi district for example, we operated over 400 patients," Prof. Galukande said.
They said 20% of the surgeries conducted were learners, majority of whom had eye defects and hearing impairments.
The surgeons said they met several challenges including inadequate supplies and resources and failure to provide service to all the patients.
"Due to the overwhelming number of patients, we never handled all of them. We are very disappointed for sure. You can imagine a patient walking over 15kms to the center and then he or she goes back without a service. Its painful. We shall come back unannounced and we attend to only those because we have their names", Prof. Galukande added.
To the area members of Parliament, this surgical camp has put government to test that the heath sector is completely sick and needs to be revamped.
"This surgical camp has shown us that really our health facilities are sick. If this was an eye opener, indeed we need to wake up and strengthen our health system," said Bazir Bataringaya, the chairman of Ankole Parliamentary Forum.
Buhweju County MP Francis Mwijukye noted that people have lived with diseases for over 20 years but they have no where to run to.
"I challenge government to stop at elevating health centers but equip those facilities with the necessary doctors, equipment and drugs," Mwijukye added.
Prof Galukande highlighted the need for government to step up and refurbish and equip health facilities.
While addressing surgeons as they climaxed the surgical camp at Kampala International University, Thomas Tayebwa the Deputy Speaker of Parliament hailed the association of Surgeons of Uganda for this gesture.
"We thank you so so much. Thank you for rescuing our people's lives. May God richly bless you," Tayebwa said.
As they look forward to extend their outreach services to West Nile, Tayebwa pledged total parliamentary support both in financial and physical presence.
He promised that going forward parliament will be committing to the association shs100 million for every camp and shs200 million from his family foundation.
"Parliament will become your immediate partner going forward. We shall commit Ush 100m to every surgical camp you will hold," Tayebwa said.
"I will also invite like 20 friends of mine to a dinner at my home and I think they can fail to raise at least Ush 200m. I will also give you this money," Tayebwa further pledged to the surgeons.