Drexel University, Rotary club give Ugandans free health services

Feb 20, 2014

The deadline for the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) is round the corner and critical decisions are being made by government about the future. These have been symbols of development for more than a decade.

By Titus Kakembo

The deadline for the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) is round the corner and critical decisions are being made by government about the future. These have been symbols of development for more than a decade.

An ambitious team of Vocational Training Team (VTT) comprising Obstetricians, Gynaecologist, Paediatricians and Informatics from Drexel University in Philadelphia - USA are in Uganda to share knowledge and experiences with their Makerere University medical School counterparts.

“Between February 2nd and 8th,2014, the team held four medical camps at Namalemba health centre II, Namungalwe Health Centre III, Kasangati Health Center IV and Komamboga Health Center III,” Prof. Josephat Byamugisha told a press conference in Mulago Hospital.

“A total of 2000 clients have benefitted from cancer screening of the cervix and breasts. This was in addition to family planning counseling, HIV, diabetes, High blood pressure screening, immunization and several outpatient services,” said Byamugisha.

Dr. Yanick M. Vibert, judging by the services she saw being offered in the different medical centres, Uganda is making an effort to saves lives of mothers and their babies.

“But the first 24 hours of every child determine its life,” pointed out Dr.Virbert.
“Most health centres do not have the equipment to help babies with breathing problems. Mothers need more knowledge about health issues than they have access to in this computer era.”

“Since a mobile phone eases communication in Uganda, its use could be strengthened by factoring on saving lives of mothers and their babies using it.”

Virbert asserted that, “Raising public awareness about breathing difficulty and being better informed on the radio attached on the phone would be ideal.”

The team project valued at a bill $80,000 footed jointly by Rotary Club Kampala North, and their counterparts of Blue Bell in Philadelphia and Drexel University.

The team comprised of Dr. Gregg Alleyne, Deborah Turnen and Dr. Yanick M. Vibert.
 

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