Rotarians provide health services to Kasanji locals

A woman getting a blood pressure check up during the health campaign at Kasanji health centre III in Wakiso district. Photos by Geoffrey Mutegeki

In a bid to complement Government's efforts of providing better health care for Ugandans, the Rotary Club of Kampala East offered medical services to locals in Wakiso district.

The health services were offered by a team of medical officers, during a medical camp which ran for two days at Kasanji Health Center III, Wakiso district.

Addah Wegola, the president Rotary Club, Kampala-East noted that the country has a big gap in medical services which needs combined efforts to be addressed.

"Health is paramount for the development of an individual and the country. We come in with such interventions to complement Government," Wegola said, on Saturday during the closure of the medical camp.

She urged Government to pay more attention to the health sector for better returns in terms of development.

During the camp, beneficiaries received free services such as cervical cancer screening, malaria testing and treatment, dental services, breast cancer screening, HIV tests among others.

"We also offered health education on disease prevention and management. Many diseases could be avoided if people have information on how to prevent and manage them," said Dr Joseph Kigula, who headed the medical camp.

Many health facilities that lack basic drugs are understaffed, which affects service delivery.

Betty Nambooze, a health worker at Kasanji health centre says the health camp will help ease the pressure on the facility which has been lacking some drugs, like malaria, cough and appetite syrups for children that the camp has provided.

"They have brought syrups for children which we have been lacking. Usually, people come here but don't find them because they are not supplied," Nambooze says.

Rose Namugga, one of the beneficiaries of the health camp challenged Government to equip health facilities to meet their health needs.

"I wish we could get the services we have got today regularly. We are so grateful to rotary for helping us," Namugga said.

The Rotarians also planted trees like Ovacado and Mangoes at the health facility and the Sub County headquarters.

"The fruit trees were planted to encourage people to plant similar trees for their nutritional benefits and income generation through selling fruits and above all conserving the environment," said Margaret Akello, the assistant governor.

The tree planting campaign is part of Rotary Mission Green Project a five year project dedicated to protecting the environment.

Rotary members have hundreds of health projects underway around the world at any given time. Over 700 people benefited from the recently concluded services.