The eternal optimism of Dr. Brian

If you ran across Dr. Brian on the street and didn’t know who he was you might think that he was a young college student. At just 29, being tall and lean with a charismatic smile, he makes everyone around him feel immediately comfortable. Prior to meeting him staff had commented on his easy demeanor and how patients love him because he spends time talking with them and getting to know them. The other day I had a chance to sit down and talk with him. As soon as I started talking with him, I could see why the staff and community feel the way they do.

Dr. Brian has been with KIDA for 10 months now, filling in when Dr. Charles left to pursue further study. I asked him why he was working at KIDA when he could work anywhere. He shared a detailed story of a time when he was just 17. His mom had called him at 3 am one night as she was sick and wanted him to pray with her – with many details he shared that ultimately, he couldn’t do anything for her. He later learned that his mom was hypertensive and had run out of medication that evening. Feeling helpless to remedy the situation and help his mom he decided “I should serve the people of Uganda” through being a doctor and saving lives. He admittedly was not the strongest student at the time. Although he loved math, the subjects of chemistry, biology and physics did not come naturally. With a winding story filled with many details he shared that after a year and a half of focused study he was close to graduating Secondary School. As he progressed toward final exams he was worried about passing all his courses. Much to his surprise it was announced on the radio that he had scored 24/25 on his final exams and placed 3rd in his class. He tells me “God did it, as I never had performed that well”.

Brian shared more about his family and then we talked about what drew him to KIDA. After five years of medical school and a one-year internship he spent a year working at Ft. Portal Medical Hospital. One afternoon he was asked to visit KIDA by Dr. Charles who was looking for his replacement. Dr. Brian recalls being skeptical that there was a hospital so far from town. The first thing he spotted was the generator and thought “That is a large generator for such a rural location”. He was pleasantly surprised to see the hospital and discover it was a fully functional facility. And to top it off there was a fully functional theatre (operating room). The answers to questions about strong staffing, whether staff got paid in a timely manner and understanding the full functionality of the hospital seemed to seal the deal. Dr. Brian knew that he always wanted to “serve the people of Uganda” and felt that this was the perfect place.

He seems to have found a home here. He speaks of the friendly staff and community. He was given a pet name and although he is 260km from his home he feels at ease here. With often times more than 5 surgeries a week he believes through his work he is making a difference in this community. He is passionate about medicine and working with the local people for better health outcomes. He loves how the different departments all work together and with ease to provide holistic health and services.

We continued to talk about the types of patients he sees. I learn that most children are here for malaria followed by respiratory problems, that his most common surgeries are hernias, laparotomies and c-sections although he has done many other more complicated procedures. He would love to start a clinic for people with diabetes, dreams of a couple pieces of equipment (a burr hole drill and an amputation set). He has a big vision, not only for equipment but also for how he can serve the community better. He would love to have a neo-natal clinic and an x-ray machine (which would also take a dedicated room) and an ambulance to help get people to the hospital. He wishes he could talk to every person in the community individually so he can share how they can live healthier lives.

We talk more about what his days are like and the challenges of serving in a rural and impoverished community. He shared his curiosity about how the hospital was functioning in such a poor area and was thrilled to learn of the support that Friends of Ruwenzori gives that makes it all possible. “I did not know how it could work and thought there must be some hand that made this work to do this good work and for staff to get paid on time.”

Later that afternoon I witnessed a scene that perfectly encapsulates Dr. Brian. As the staff was furiously finishing up readying

the Children’s Ward for the grand opening the following day, some were fretting about details….the beds should have had a second coat of paint, the night nursing schedule was going to need to be adjusted, the concrete outside needed to be fixed so the water drained to the right spot. With a huge smile on his face Dr. Brian looked around and said “We will figure out the answers to all the problems, but today is about the celebration of this new space for children and we are happy for that”.