Heart Institute in a drive to raise sh50m

Feb 01, 2017

The initiative that was started by four friends seeks to create awareness and support for Ugandans who urgently need medical assistance at the heart Institute.

A group of Ugandans have launched a campaign to raise sh50 m to support the Uganda heart Institute in its effort to deliver quality services.

The initiative that was started by four friends seeks to create awareness and support for Ugandans who urgently need medical assistance at the heart Institute.

According to Doreen Nankinga one of four friends a number of Ugandans suffering with heart complication but lack the funds to facilitate the treatment.

Under the theme, Run for love and save a heart, Nankinga said, "The cardio run is intended to fundraise funds for desperate cardio patients at Mulago heart Institute in order to enable them meet their medical bills, heart operations in severe cases, tests and drugs."

Dr. Elias Sebatta, a cardiologist at Uganda heart Institute said, "The burden of the heart disease is high yet many are preventable. This run will help to create awareness because the more people raise the issue, the better for both the patients and population."

Since Uganda has only one heart Institute, per day Sebatta disclosed that the institute attends to over 80 patients. He said the fundraising is vital because it will help those who cannot afford to buy drugs, pay for their costs of investigations.

The East African cardio run will be an annual event which will be hosted every year in February. The run will take place at Legends bar in Kampala on 12/2/17. During the race, children will be participating in 5 km race and adults will participate in 10 km race.

Nankinga added that the cardio run will also help to broaden health awareness and sensation among East African Community about various cardio related illness and curbing down the causes of heart diseases.

Diane Kateba, a run coordinator called upon all Ugandans to register with sh20.000 in order to show love by raising sh50 m for heart patients.

She said the contribution will help to reduce the percentage of deaths arising from cardio vascular diseases.

"As we are celebrating the day of love, the Valentine's Day; Ugandans should show love to other people who are suffering with heart complications," she said.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});