The Speaker of Parliament, Markson Jacob Oboth, has called for greater support for children requiring specialised brain surgery, highlighting the role of CURE Children's Hospital in providing subsidised neurosurgical care to families unable to meet the full cost of treatment.
Oboth made the appeal while leading hundreds of participants in a charity run organised by the hospital to mobilise funds for essential medical supplies and sustain its specialised services.
The hospital treats children with neurological conditions, including spina bifida and hydrocephalus, many of whom come from families that struggle to afford specialised medical care.
The Speaker said his participation in the run was also an opportunity to give back to the hospital, having previously brought a patient there for treatment.
“The first time I came here, I was not a patient, but I had a patient. So today I have come to give back,” Oboth said.
He was joined by the State Minister for Public Service, Lydia Wanyoto, legislators from the Bugisu sub-region, corporate organisations and other well-wishers supporting the fundraising campaign. The Parliamentary Commission of Uganda was among the institutions that contributed to the initiative.
Speaking at the event, CURE Children's Hospital Executive Director Tim Erickson thanked sponsors and partners for supporting the hospital's work and sustaining the fundraising initiative over the past decade.
He cited testimonies from former patients, including a young person identified as Petwa, who has since returned to community life.
According to Erickson, the hospital has performed approximately 31,000 brain surgeries over the years, providing specialised treatment at a cost he said was significantly lower than what families might pay elsewhere.
Erickson estimated that similar surgery in Europe or Nairobi could cost approximately US$10,000, compared with an average of Shs 7.8 million, or about US$2,000, at CURE. Based on these estimates, the difference is approximately Shs 31.2 million (US$8,000) per surgery, representing an estimated 80 per cent reduction in cost at CURE.
“For us, the average cost of surgery is Shs 7.8 million. That’s somewhere around $2,000, right? I don’t know anywhere else in the world you can have brain surgery for $2,000, especially not the kind of surgery that saves lives,” Erickson said.
The comparison highlights the potential financial benefits of CURE's subsidised treatment model, although the figures cited by Erickson have not been independently verified and may vary depending on the procedure and facility.
At the charity run, sponsors announced several contributions, including Shs 150 million mobilised by Patrick Cameron from Biyinzika Farmers, Shs 50 million from the Parliamentary Commission and Shs 20 million from the Office of the First Lady, alongside support from other corporate organisations and individuals.
The Nandala Foundation and Mountain Inn were also recognised for contributing more than Shs 35 million and pledging an additional Shs 175 million over five years. According to the information presented at the event, the commitment is expected to fund approximately seven operations annually.
Proceeds from the fundraiser help sustain the hospital's specialised neurosurgical services, enabling children from disadvantaged families to access life-saving treatment.
Now in its 10th edition, the CURE Children's Hospital Brain Surgery Run has recorded significant growth in fundraising. Erickson revealed that collections increased from Shs 10 million during the inaugural run in 2015 to Shs 640 million in 2025.
With a long-term ambition of raising more than Shs 1 billion, Erickson expressed optimism that increased participation in this year's event could push collections closer to the target, helping sustain specialised neurosurgical care for children in need.
CURE Children's Hospital provides specialised neurosurgical treatment to children with conditions such as spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Its subsidised care model is intended to make treatment accessible to families who might otherwise struggle to meet the cost of surgery.
Spina bifida is a birth defect in which the spinal column does not close completely during early pregnancy. Depending on its severity, it can cause nerve damage, weakness or paralysis of the legs, and bladder and bowel problems. Although its exact cause is not always known, low folate levels before and during early pregnancy increase the risk. Taking the recommended folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy helps prevent many cases.
Hydrocephalus occurs when cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain, potentially increasing pressure and damaging brain tissue. It can result from congenital abnormalities, bleeding, infections or other medical conditions. Treatment commonly involves surgery to insert a shunt to drain excess fluid or, in suitable cases, an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV).
Early diagnosis and appropriate medical care can help reduce complications and improve outcomes for children affected by these conditions.