More than 1,500 people benefit from free medical camp in Naguru
The President of the Rotary Club of Upper Kololo, Rotarian Elizabeth Mushabe, said the initiative was motivated by the challenges residents face in accessing healthcare, particularly those whose work schedules leave them with little time to visit hospitals.
Some of the patients at Phaneroo Grounds, Naguru, who were waiting to receive free medical services at the medical camp. (Photos by Jovita Mirembe)
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For Joel Kasumba, 40, a resident of Naguru Katale, managing high blood pressure and diabetes comes at a considerable financial cost.
Kasumba, who survives on casual jobs, says he spends a significant portion of his income on medication and regular hospital visits to manage the two conditions.
“I spend Shs100,000 every two weeks on treatment for basic medication and healthcare services because I get uncontrolled conditions in my body, which require me to visit the hospital every two weeks. I am happy that I have received the treatment I was supposed to get in the next two weeks free of charge,” Kasumba says.
For him, the free medical services offered at a recent community health camp provided some relief from the financial burden of managing chronic illnesses.
Another beneficiary, Rita Nansubuga, 30, who lives in Naguru Go Down, said she had struggled to access medical attention for an eye problem because of long queues at health facilities.
She said the medical camp gave her an opportunity to consult a health professional and receive free guidance on the medication needed to address her eyesight problems.
Nansubuga said she was grateful for the opportunity to receive medical attention without having to endure the long waiting times she had previously experienced at hospitals.
Kasumba and Nansubuga were among more than 1,500 people who received free healthcare services during a medical camp organised by the Rotary Club of Upper Kololo in partnership with Phaneroo Ministries International and the Ministry of Health.
The camp was held on November 7 at the Phaneroo grounds in Naguru, with support from TASO (U) Ltd, Uganda Village Medical Centre, Uganda Cares and China Friendship Hospital Naguru.
The President of the Rotary Club of Upper Kololo, Rotarian Elizabeth Mushabe, said the initiative was motivated by the challenges residents face in accessing healthcare, particularly those whose work schedules leave them with little time to visit hospitals.
President of the Rotary Club of Upper Kololo Rotarian Elizabeth Mushabe
She said many residents of Naguru leave home early in the morning for work and return late in the evening, often without finding time to seek medical attention.
“So we thought that giving them all medical integrated services in one place will give them that one-stop chance to come, do their health assessment and also get served.
“We have always been serving at the remand home, for three years now, and in this fourth year, being a year of impact, we felt that we should expand our horizon to also benefit the communities in Naguru. Naguru 1, Naguru 2, Katale, Naguru Police and Nakawa. The Rotary Club of Upper Kololo was established four years ago as one of the 130 clubs in the district 9213 and at present has a membership of 120 members,” Mushabe said.
She said the club hoped to extend its community outreach beyond its existing programmes to reach more vulnerable populations.
Naguru II Parish Councillor Brian Ochan Olenga said the area has a registered voter population of 39,930 spread across 33 villages, many of which are home to low-income residents who struggle to afford medical care.
He said the high cost of healthcare makes initiatives such as the medical camp particularly important for vulnerable households.
Florence Naigaga, a senior nursing officer at China Friendship Hospital Naguru, said many people in Naguru and neighbouring communities seek medical attention only when their conditions have become serious.
She urged residents to make use of available health services and seek treatment early rather than waiting until illnesses worsen.
“We encourage people to come to hospital early enough so that they can get treatment,” Naigaga said.
Faith-based partnerships in community healthcare
Rachael Kyomuhendo, head of missions and medical camp coordinator at Phaneroo Ministries International, said community impact was one of the ministry's core values and had informed its partnership with the Rotary Club of Upper Kololo.
She said the collaboration was intended to extend healthcare services to vulnerable residents of Naguru, Ntinda, Mutungo and neighbouring communities.
Kyomuhendo added that the ministry had also distributed clothes to beneficiaries as part of its charitable activities.
The medical camp offered a range of services, including general medical consultations, malaria testing, blood pressure and diabetes screening, antenatal and postnatal reviews, child growth and nutrition assessments, breastfeeding support and family planning services.
Other services included eye screening and basic eye care, voluntary HIV testing and counselling, with referrals and linkage to care where necessary.
The Uganda Blood Transfusion Services also led a blood donation exercise, while mosquito nets were distributed to eligible households.