By Agnes Kyotalengerire

BETTY Nekesa, a resident of Namuwongo Zone A, had, for two weeks, taken pain killers to suppress a tooth ache. She could not afford to pay for a tooth extraction at a dental clinic in her neighbourhood.

“I hope I will sleep soundly to night now that my tooth has been extracted,” said Nekesa before stepping down the dental chair.

“I have had malaria for two months because I could not afford adequate treatment. I am happy I have got medication and my children have also been treated for a rash,” said an excited Harriet Kiconco, a mother of three and resident of Kanyogoga zone.

Nekesa and Kiconco are among the beneficiaries of a medical camp that was recently conducted at Kisugu Health Centre III in Namuwongo.

Health workers attend to one of the mothers who delivered at the facility during the 3-day camp at Kisugu Health Centre

Teddy Naggadya, the camp coordinator, estimated over 1,200 residents, including adults and children were treated for common illnesses like malaria, diarrhoea, urinary tract infections, skin disorders, colds and coughs.

Many people also tested for HIV/AIDS. The camp was organised by International Health Science University under the theme, Slum communities at heart; no distance between us.

As part of its commitment to advance the society, Vision Group also took part in the project.

Dr. Nicholas Wooding, the acting vice-chancellor of IHSU, said they offered free health care services and treatment to the low-income residents of Namuwongo as part of their cooperate social responsibility. “We realised the people in Namuwongo community suffer many common illnesses because they cannot afford and access treatment. Besides, majority lack knowledge on proper hygiene,” Wooding said.

According to John Kungu, the local chairman of Namuwongo Zone B, poverty, ignorance and poor sanitation are the major causes of chronic illnesses among the Namuwongo community.

According to the organisers, about sh25m was spent on the three-day camp (February 9-11).

“We could not work in isolation. We provided the manpower and a number of organisations, including International Medical Group, National Drug Authority, Joint Medical Stores, Kampala Pharmaceuticals Limited and Quality Chemicals sponsored.

Others sponsors were Rwenzori, Nice House of Plastics, St. Paul Church Kiwuliriza, Crown Health Care, Housing Finance, Sinoafrica, Reproductive Health Uganda and Kisugu Health Centre.