Our Programs
Mission Mannya carries out its purpose alleviating health inequity by providing medical support and supplies to impoverished communities in Uganda. It does this by running a series of free of charge, pop-up medical outreach clinics on an annual basis. Our programs are designed and coordinated by local Ugandan healthcare leaders, in particular the management of St Bernard’s Mannya Health Centre under the stewardship of the health centre clinician in charge, Vincent Kyeswa.
On the ground, we set up medical camps in selected community safe spaces- schools or medical centres. Here patients received a free private consultation with a Ugandan medical officer or an Australian doctor (accompanied by a medical student and a Ugandan interpreter), local dentist or nutritionist. Tests are run via the labs and prescriptions written and filled on site, free of charge. If required, detailed referrals to specialists are written and explained to patients. As a second arm to our program, we also provide resources for a number of patients to undergo necessary surgery locally with surgeons and an anaesthetist commissioned with our resources, free of charge to the patient.
Growth
In 2023, we served 1,780 patients, and in 2024 our medical program expanded significantly to reach 3,231 patients. In 2025, we cared for a further 3,011 patients while continuing to grow our surgical services. Our surgical camp more than doubled its impact, increasing from 30 cases to 64, and we proudly marked the official opening of the Dr Kevin Shannon Operating Theatre at St Bernard’s Health Centre. Despite this substantial growth in patient services and surgical capacity, our overall operational costs increased by only 46%, demonstrating the program’s sustainability, efficiency, and responsible expansion of care. We also successfully conducted our first fully Ugandan-staffed outreach in 2025.
This success is largely due to our commitment to leveraging local knowledge. By utilizing pre-existing supply chains, trusted operators and local staff, we ensure services are delivered in a cost-effective and culturally responsible manner. While accessing healthcare in these regions presents significant challenges, there are established - albeit limited- systems we can utilise. For example, Village Health Team members - local volunteers committed to the health of the community - have been engaged to assist in the management of outreach sites. The Mission Mannya close collaboration with local leaders, means that we can effectively integrate these valuable local resources.
We continue to build on our successful programs to date and we are striving to enhance our impact in 2026.
2023 Program
In 2023, Mission Mannya ran seven outreach programs over the course of 12 days. We visited the communities of Lwensinga, Kagongero, Kisaasa, Busibo, Namabaale, Buyaga and Mannya. In this time, 1796 people were able to receive free medical consultation and care, and a further 525 people received health education at our outreach camps. Three Australian doctors volunteered for the program with further support from five medical students who also donated their time. Treatments offered included primary health care and medications, dental care, nutritional screening and the facilitation of minor surgical procedures. Additionally, training and education sessions were conducted between local and visiting medical staff.
The impact of this medical care is significant to communities who routinely have no means of accessing even basic medical treatment. As such, Mission Mannya aims to continue to expand its services to help more individuals in need.
2024 Program
In 2024, we saw the expansion of our team and our outreach camps were supported by a dedicated team of 15 Australian volunteers, comprising 7 doctors and 8 medical students, all of whom funded their own travel to participate. Working alongside them were 126 committed Ugandan clinical and non-clinical staff members. Together, we successfully conducted eight mass outreach camps and a multi-day surgical program. Our 2024 medical program served 3,231 patients—an increase of 79% from our 2023 activities and the number of surgical cases also rose by 94%.
In most cases, the initial Mission Mannya consult facilitates diagnosis and early management of medical conditions that can then be followed up by local clinicians as required. In cases where further investigation or specialist care is indicated, Mission Mannya supports this early referral pathway by collaborating with local specialists and providing the transport needed to access them. Mission Mannya also provided an urgent referral pathway to help certain cases access immediate higher-level care and follow up, all of which is funded by our program. In 2024, 22 patients were identified and assisted to receive urgent or emergent follow-up care.
2025 Program
In 2025, our team consisted of eight Australian doctors and seven medical student. We successfully conducted our first fully Ugandan-staffed outreach. Over the course of the program, our outreach camps consulted 3,011 patients, 22 of whom were identified as needing urgent transfer, which was promptly facilitated. Our surgical camp grew significantly, achieving 113% growth by operating on 64 patients compared to 30 in 2024 and we officially opened the Dr Kevin Shannon Operating Theatre at St Bernards Health Centre.
Two weeks commencing late November/Early Decemeber
(official dates TBC)