Rotary Club offers free cervical cancer vaccination

KAMPALA - Residents of Mulimira Zone in Bukoto, Nakawa division have embraced free medication offered by Rotary Club of Acacia Sunset Uganda.

The camp mainly focused on cervical cancer immunization, HIV testing and counselling. Others were treatment of malaria, sexual transmission diseases, dental services, optical services and ulcers.

Elizabeth Nekesa, the club's president, said the main aim of the camp is to help improve and expand access to low-cost and free healthcare as well as support cervical cancer immunisation to girls in the underdeveloped urban poor.

Their target is to vaccinate 200 vulnerable girls.

"We chose to support activities related to cancer because we know it is a silent killer yet immunisation of young girls can protect life."

Currently government is carrying out vaccination against cancer of the cervix among all schoolgoing girls aged between 10 and 13.

According to a study by KCCA on Kampala's slums, people in urban poor areas mainly suffer from outbreaks of cholera, malaria, typhoid, bilharzia and other fatal water-borne diseases.

Evidence suggests that improving sanitation could reduce diarrhoea diseases by 35 to 40%.

Catherine Nsubuga, the senior nursing officer at Bukoto KCCA health centre III, commended the rotary club for the initiative and appealed to government to support such organisations taking services near to people.

Stephen Kizza, 69, a resident of Bukoto and a father of nine said he had fever, headache and stomach pain. He is happy because he has received free drugs. 

"I had failed to raise money for treatment until when I was told that Rotary was offering free medical services. This camp has benefited majority of our residents because many of them have died because they could not afford medical bills."

Alisha Watanajja, 80, a resident of Idudi in Iganga, said that this is a timely opportunity because she had come to Kampala to get money for treatment after she started feeling body pain.

"I am blessed I have got all the necessary drugs at no cost. Such camps should be taken to other places."