Summary:
- This milestone is being achieved with the support of Dr. Gary Botimer, MD, an orthopedic surgeon from Loma Linda University Health, USA, who has a deep connection with Ishaka Adventist Hospital.
BUSHENYI: Ishaka Adventist Hospital (IAH) is on the verge of transforming orthopedic care in the region with the launch of a state-of-the-art orthopedic clinic.
This cutting-edge facility will offer a full range of services, including fracture repair, treatment for minor injuries, and hip and knee replacements for both children and adults.
This milestone is being achieved with the support of Dr. Gary Botimer, MD, an orthopedic surgeon from Loma Linda University Health, USA, who has a deep connection with Ishaka Adventist Hospital.
Dr. Botimer, who brings four decades of rich experience in orthopedics, was introduced to Ishaka by old friends who had visited the hospital on a missionary trip.
“I first heard about Ishaka from some high school classmates, Dr. Steve Spady and Dr. Marlin Meharry. They asked me what I planned to do in retirement and suggested I visit Ishaka. When I came here to explore, I met Lydia, the Executive Director, and the Chairman of the Board,” Dr. Botimer recalls.
Dr. Botimer has been instrumental in remodeling the operating theatre at IAH to accommodate orthopedic surgery, recognizing that a well-equipped operating room is essential for this type of care.
He is currently in the process of bringing in additional equipment to ensure that the hospital has the best orthopedic department in the area.
“When I visited Ishaka, I was very impressed. I saw that they weren’t doing orthopedics, which inspired me to make a change. We have revamped the operating room to handle orthopedic surgery, and more equipment is on its way. We’re going to establish the best orthopedic clinic at Ishaka, and I’m excited about all that’s happening,” he shares.
Dr. Botimer’s commitment to IAH reflects his passion for improving lives through healthcare. With the first shipment of equipment already at the hospital, he confirms that more is on the way, including a special machine for the operating room.
“This equipment will allow us to fix fractures with minimal invasive surgery. We’ll have state-of-the-art tools to perform total hip and knee replacements, ensuring that both children and adults can recover from fractures and injuries with improved health and functionality,” he explains.
Dr. Botimer has earned recognition in the USA for designing and managing operating rooms and has served as the chairman of the orthopedics department at Loma Linda.
He attributes his accomplishments and aspirations at Ishaka to divine guidance, believing that God has provided him with many opportunities that he now uses to save lives at Ishaka.
“God gave me the chance to do research with incredible people in Switzerland. Over the years, I’ve developed methods for total knee and hip replacements, and I’m thrilled to bring that expertise here. In fact, a colleague from Switzerland will be supplying us with materials to help us advance orthopedics at Ishaka,” he shares.
Previously, the hospital’s orthopedic officer, Mr. Kalemba Ashabaheebwa, noted that the hospital had to refer orthopedic cases to other facilities. However, with the establishment of this new service, patient numbers have surged.
“We started small, but with experts like Dr. Botimer on board and more equipment arriving, we can now perform more complex surgeries. Ishaka will become a center of excellence for orthopedic care,” he said.
The Medical Director, Dr. Brian Musinguzi, describes the improved orthopedic center as a dream come true for the hospital.
“We’ve worked hard to establish a robust appointment and booking system, and we’re excited to welcome Dr. Gary, a renowned orthopedic surgeon from the USA. He’s a pioneer in hip replacement methods, and we’re honored to have him on our team,” he says.
“As a hospital, we’re privileged to serve our community with cutting-edge orthopedic care, and we praise God for this remarkable opportunity. With Dr. Botimer’s leadership, we’re confident that our orthopedic department will become a beacon of excellence,” he adds.
According to the Hospital Executive Director, Ms. Lydia Komugisha, “Orthopedic services of this caliber are rare in our region. The state-of-the-art operating theatre and the presence of highly specialized doctors are transformative for the hospital. We’re all thrilled and thankful to God for these incredible blessings!”
