Over 100,000 to get free medical care
Rotary district 9211 has lined up over 90 rotary clubs in Uganda to take part in family health days where poor and needy people will access free health care services.
HEALTH
KAMPALA-Over 100,000 Ugandans countrywide suffering from different health diseases are set to receive free medical care in the Rotary Family Health Days' (RFHD) campaign.
Rotary district 9211 has lined up over 90 rotary clubs in Uganda to take part in family health days where poor and needy people will access free health care services.
Past district governor, Robert Wagwa Nsibirwa said they had received a global grant of $76,000 (about sh283m) from Rotary International for the various activities including organising the health camps.
"In 2018, over 70,000 patients were attended to while this year we targeted to reach over 100,000 people from a minimum of 90 locations countrywide," he said.
Nsibirwa made the remarks at the launch of the eighth edition of the Rotary Family health Days at Kati Kati restaurant in Kampala on Wednesday.
The rotary clubs of Kampala- Naguru and Bukoto are spearheading this year's campaign.
He disclosed that a number of village folk trek long distances to access medical care and treatment which is sometimes too expensive for them.
"The beneficiaries will receive free medical treatment and checkups starting April 13th to 15th under theme ‘Good health, Happy Families'," he said.
The camps will offer both specialised and general services in the areas of cancer screening, child immunization and nutrition, family planning and maternal health, HIV/AIDs counselling and testing as wells as dental services.
Others include optical services, malaria testing and treatment, safe male circumcision, health education and blood donation.
Past district governor Steven Mwanje noted that these services will be conducted by a team of medical professionals from health fraternity across the country.
"This time round, we are putting more emphasis on the non-communicable diseases that are silently killing our population," he said.
He added that the Rotary family programme promotes healthy living and disease prevention by implementing a massive, annual campaign that provides comprehensive, free health care services.
The President, Rotary Club of Naguru Sarah Patricia Nabwire speaking during the launch of rotary health days held at Kati Kati restaurant in Kampala. (Photo by Shamim Saad )
"Since its inception in 2011, the programme has reached out to 500,000 countrywide and many of the beneficiaries cite inadequate medical facilities in their localities as a major hindrance to proper medical care," he explained.
Beatrice Lugalambi, the general manager business development at Centenary Bank said, "Rotary and the bank have worked with Nsambya Hospital to support the health centres that handle cancer."
While donating sh30m to the cause, Lugalambi said the bank had contributed the money towards procuring cancer kits.
Director clinical services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Charles Olaro lauded rotary clubs of Kampala - Bukoto and Naguru for the initiative saying that this will go along in helping the poor people who can't access proper medical care.
"This move has supplemented the government's efforts to provide proper and adequate health care services to the majority of Uganda's population especially those living below the poverty line," he said.
He added that this reach out initiative to the poor communities will help in the promotion of a healthy population.
Olaro also tasked rotary to ensure the delivery of high quality medical services to the beneficiaries.
"Quality is in ensuring that family health days are run as per standards set by the ministry, that the professional and qualified medical practitioners are registered under Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioner's council, while drugs, medical supplies and equipment are as per National Drug Authority standards," he said.