Rotarians offer 3,000 Kagadi residents free treatment
“At least 80% of Uganda’s total disease burden is attributed to preventable conditions led by malaria, lower respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases and vaccine-related illnesses. Malaria among children stands at 13%, adult HIV prevalence stands at 5.9% and child morbidity at 20%. All these can be prevented with sensitisation,” said Kusiima.
A section of Kiryanga residents await treatment at Kiryanga Health Centre III in Kagadi District. (Credit: Andre Musinguzi)
KAGADI - More than 3,000 patients suffering from different ailments have been treated during a one-week medical camp held at Kiryanga Health Centre III in Kagadi District.
Dr. Allan Abdul Latif Mundu, a Dermatologist from Mulago Hospital, said that during the medical camp, doctors and nurses diagnosed several infectious and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The medical camp that was organised by Rotarians and medics from Mulago, Hoima and Mbarara hospitals at Kiryanga Health Centre III in Kagadi district started on November 2 and ended on November 10.
The diseases treated among residents included heart diseases, prostate cancer, asthma, scabies, allergies, cervical cancer, hypertension, Down syndrome, diabetes, and urinary tract infections.
“We diagnosed and treated over 3,000 patients particularly infected with the four categories of non-communicable diseases which account for 80% of all premature NCD-related deaths globally according to World Health Organisation,” said Mundu.
He attributed the increasing cases of NCDs in communities to ignorance, lack of medical checkups and living sedentary lifestyles.
Mundu urged health workers to use public platforms to intensify sensitisation of the residents on maintaining personal hygiene and sanitation, healthy eating and drinking habits, as well as carrying out regular medical check-ups.
“The common illnesses we identified were scabies, ringworm, urinary tract infections, cataracts, conjunctivitis, diabetes, cervical cancer, Down syndrome, hydrocephalus, allergies and hypertension,’’ Mundu revealed.
Stephen Twesige Rulekere, the Buyaga East legislator, who lobbied for the medical camp in Kagadi, said that, as president of the Rotary Club of Munyonyo in Kampala, he partnered with medics and other health charitable organisations in Bunyoro and Kampala to ensure that the camp is a success. Rulekere promised that more services would come, including the elevation of health centers.
“As one of the members of parliament in Bunyoro, I have responded to public outcry with partners from Rotary Club and medical workers over increasing illnesses ranging from infectious diseases to NCDs in Kiryanga sub-county, where health workers recorded high cases of urinary tract infections, diabetes, hypertension, scabies, cervical cancer, diabetes and ringworm,” said Rulekere.
Conrad Kusiima, the in-charge of Kiryanga Health Center III, said the commonest ailments recorded at the health facility include malaria, typhoid, urinary tract infections, skin infections, scabies, eye diseases, marasmus, kwashiorkor, and the down syndrome.
Dr. Mark Kunihira, the president of the Rotary Club of Bunyoro sub-region, said more services will be extended to other sub-counties and districts in Bunyoro where the treated diseases are prevalent.
“At least 80% of Uganda’s total disease burden is attributed to preventable conditions led by malaria, lower respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases and vaccine-related illnesses. Malaria among children stands at 13%, adult HIV prevalence stands at 5.9% and child morbidity at 20%. All these can be prevented with sensitisation,” said Kusiima.
Mary Natukunda, 40, a resident of Kiryanga, said they have been having challenges with undernourishment among children, adding that the medical camp has helped them a lot.
Jane Kemirembe, 50, said they have been having challenges with skin diseases. “My skin has been getting itchy, especially whenever I bathe in cold water and move during cold weather. I thought I had been bewitched, but doctors have told me that I have an allergy.”
Annet Kusiima, 35, said her five-year-old baby was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, but she had moved to many health centres for treatment without any improvement.
The residents thanked their MP (Rulekere), Rotarians and medical doctors for the treatment.