A total of 321 patients were recorded at the Mother of Mercy hospital, Kyengera, as they partook of the free medical camp organized by the Rotary Club of Kampala Central recently.
Beyond what was expected, it was a timely intervention for the community in many ways. According to Sister Maria Namuwulya, who heads the Mother of Mercy hospital, the target was to offer medical services to at least 400 people.
Although the turn up was short by about 80 people, with some coming after the designated time had elapsed, the purpose of the medical camp was achieved with overwhelming success.
At least 192 of the patients that were examined by the wide range of medical practitioners, from dentists, gynaecologists, opticians, general practitioners, and laboratory technicians among others, visited the hospital pharmacy to receive free medicine.
From this, it was quite evident that out there in the communities, there are so many sick people. Yet, many of them do not visit hospitals because they have no money to afford the medicine. But because of the Rotary Club of Kampala Central, this medicine was provided for all that needed it.
“Since the camp was held at the end of October, we have been receiving feedback from the host of patients that were handled on the day, commending the services they received courtesy of the Rotary Club of Kampala Central. Most of them were saying that they had been ill for a while because they could not afford the treatment they required. But now, after receiving the drugs they needed, they are now recovering well,” Namuwulya said.
The cost of medical care in Uganda is simply not for the fainthearted. Like is famously said here that one is a medical bill away from poverty, public healthcare is proving so expensive for ordinary Ugandans.
A case in point, malaria treatment in Uganda rarely goes below Shs 50,000 ($12) especially where injections are needed to treat it fast. Considering the many bills and the cost of living, this is pretty high, even for an average family.
Duncan Aturinda, the president of the Rotary Club of Kampala Central noted that as a club, in their service above self, have focused their efforts on supporting the well-being (health) of people in Uganda.
“We realize that the economic growth of any country is dependent on how healthy their population is. That is why we are so passionate about public health. Of course, we also realize that for a community to be healthy and productive, the environment must be, too. It is against that background, that we continue to work and mobilize resources towards the conservation of Lake Victoria, River Nile and our forests,” Aturinda said.
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