Proscovia Achomo

Gulu

Gulu Regional Referral Hospital (GRRH) last week received a donation of a computerized Electrorencepalogram (EEG) worth 60 million from Mayo Clinic Arizonia, USA through Gulu University Faculty of Medicine.

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain using small, metal discs (electrodes) attached to the scalp. Brain cells communicate via electrical impulses and are active all the time, even during asleep, this activity shows up as wavy lines on an EEG recording. An EEG is one of the main diagnostic tests for epilepsy. It can also play a role in diagnosing other brain disorders.

The Computerized Electrocochleogram(EEG)machine is used for measuring electrical impulses (waves) from the brain. An EEG might also be used to confirm brain death in someone in a persistent coma. A continuous EEG is used to help find the right level of anesthesia for someone in a medically induced coma. The machine also supplements the CT-Scan.

Dr Sam Olum a Physician and a specialist from Gulu University who has been assigned to operate this machine revealed that he was trained how to use this machine and how to interpret the results. He pledges to train a technician from Gulu Regional Referral Hospital who will be seated at the station to use this machine because at the moment he is the only one who knows how to operate the EEG. “My work will mainly be to interpret the results and give what the diagnosis comes of it,” he explained.

Walter Uryekwun, Principal Administrator Gulu Regional Referral Hospital said that this machine will assist in the mental health unit since the hospital is treating about 800 mentally sick patients. “This machine is a blessing to our hospital, we were very happy to receive it because it is going to help specifically our mental health Unit where we have quite a number of clients who come in and these clients you need to establish their mental capacity, reasons why they are behaving the way they are behaving and also try to give them the best therapy,” he noted.

Gulu Regional Referral Hospital Board Chairman, Dr Paul Onek Awil revealed that the donation is part of the collaborative memorandum the hospital had with Gulu University which includes providing a technical staff to operate the machine and also training one personnel of the hospital to operate this machine.
He further explicated that the government of Uganda should not fold hands simply because Gulu University has offered its staff to operate the machine, Gulu Regional Referral Hospital also needs its own Staff to manage this machine.

Epileptic patients from Gulu and districts in Acholi Sub-region who require EEG diagnosis have always been transferred to either Butabika or Mulago Hospitals for the test.

Gulu Regional Referral Hospital serves annually over 1.9 million people.

The Digital Electrocochleogram (EEG) machines are currently available in Mulago National Referral Hospital, Butabika National Referral Hospital, Mbarara Hospital and now Gulu Regional Hospital.

COVER PHOTO: GRRH Board Chairman Dr. Paul Onek and the Principal Hospital Administrator Mr. Walter Uryekwun receiving the EEG with its accessories. Proscovia Achomo