Medical outreach lifts burden of disease from islanders
“We have so far done over 40 operations; however, this has been our first of its kind together with medics from Bridge to Health,”Dr Ssebagalasays.
Doctors attending a patient at Kasekulo H C III. (Photos by Samuel Nkuba)
By Samuel Nkuba
Journalists @New Vision
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A couple of peculiar diseases have long clogged islanders’ bodies due to barriers in accessing appropriate health care.
Kalangala, an island district with 84 islands, 64 of which are habitable, has only 16 health units.
Some of these facilities serve over 10 landing sites located on different islands.
Besides crossing Lake Victoria’s rough waters to access health care services, mothers and children—the most vulnerable—are always hindered by costly transport.
Oliver Namawejje had to hire a boat for sh50,000, an engine for sh30,000, a coxswain for sh20,000, and fuel for sh50,000 to access Bufumira HCIII for an antenatal visit from Kaazi-Bugaba landing site on Bugaba Island.
“I managed to have one visit until I gave birth, though they had to refer me to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital for management because I couldn’t have a normal delivery,” says Namawejje.
The only solution to such difficulties often comes from different entities that organise free medical outreaches for islanders.
Woman with ruptured ectopic tubal pregnancy saved
During this annual mega medical and dental outreach across the islands, medics saved a mother who had a ruptured ectopic tubal pregnancy from Lwanabatya landing site on Bukasa Island.
Winnie Apio, 23, narrates that she experienced abnormal bleeding, which worried her for over three days.
“I heard that medics were on Bukasa and decided to rush for a scan. After the scanning, medics whispered to me that I had a ruptured ectopic tubal pregnancy, which needed immediate operation,” says Apio.
Dr Edward Ssebagala, in charge of Bukasa HCIV, says they performed an explorative laparotomy due to a left ruptured ectopic tubal pregnancy because the mother’s life was at risk.
“We have so far done over 40 operations; however, this has been our first of its kind together with medics from Bridge to Health,” he says.
First-ever medical camp in Mazinga
This year's mega medical and dental outreach, which started on February 18, and ran until February 26, 2025, marks three years.
Medics from Kalangala HCIV, together with experts from the US and Canada under their Bridge to Health organisation, funded an eight-day free medical service outreach across different islands.
A Police officer attached to Mazinga Police Station undergoing treatment during the first-ever medical camp.
Frank Nsubuga, a resident of Buyinja landing site, has spent two years battling an unknown back pain that left him reliant on walking sticks.
He narrates that after spending sh5 million attempting to treat the unidentified illness, his condition continued to worsen, preventing him from engaging in his usual fishing activities.
“I lost hope, except sitting in a boat manned by an oar to only have sh2,000 for lunch and supper,” he narrates in a trembling voice.
He gets hope
After lamenting to Bridge to Health medics, a light at the end of the tunnel seemed to appear.
Caroline Tresise, the CEO of Bridge to Health, says they will fund Nsubuga to undergo a CT scan for his spine to diagnose the actual condition that turned him into a PWD.
“After the scan, we will go ahead and provide the necessary treatment that will restore his ability to walk, if possible,” says Tresise.
Paul Kibi, one of the leaders in Mazinga, says that with this first-ever free medical outreach, many people have received a variety of treatments they had never had before.
“The hardship in transport for accessing quality health care services makes us vulnerable; many resort to drug shops that don’t provide full treatment due to costly drugs,” says Kibi.
Over 5,000 turn up
According to Dr Ssuuna Michael of Kalangala HCIV, the eight-day medical camp has provided a variety of health care services to over 5,000 islanders with different diseases, ranging from communicable to non-communicable ones.
He narrates that out of every 10 patients diagnosed, at least five had their blood tested for HIV, indicating an increase in the number of people eager to know their status across the islands.
“We hope to increase the number of outreaches from one a year to three since there is a growing need, especially on islands without health facilities. Also, the number of medics from the U.S. and Canada who want to serve islanders has increased, thus calling for more outreaches,” says Dr Ssuuna.
Services, including minor and major operations, tooth extraction, washing, filling, dressing open wounds, scanning, HIV testing and counselling, among others, were provided at Mazinga HCIII, Bukasa HCIV, Kalangala HCIV, Bumangi HCIII, Mulabana HCII, Bwendero HCII, Mugoye HCIII, and Kasekulo HCIII.
Dr Brian Cole, a dental specialist, says that in his third year of service on the islands, significant progress has been made due to the quality of services provided.
“This time round, we have done more filling and cleaning than extraction, unlike in the past two years. Each day, we attend to 120 to 150 dental patients, with 400 students in the schools we visit. Teeth hygiene has been sensitised among pupils and fishing communities, as well as the application of fluoride in schools,” says Dr Cole.
Call to action
Kalangala district leaders have appealed to the government to upgrade all health facilities on the islands, equipping them with medical supplies, including drugs, so that islanders don’t have to travel long distances on water for treatment.
“We suggest that the Ministry of Health consider constructing health centre IIs on every densely populated island. This will be the solution to clogged diseases in our fishing communities,” says Resty Nakawungu, the district vice chairperson.