UPDF, PRAU in Kawempe hospital clean up exercise

HEALTH    CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 

KAMPALA-The management of Kawempe National Referral Hospital has lauded the Uganda People's Defence Forces together with the Public Relations Association of Uganda for their initiative of cleaning the hospital.

On Saturday, UPDF in partnership with PRAU cleaned up Kawempe Specialized Referral Hospital not only as a way of giving back to the community but also promoting the spirit of voluntarism in the country's corporate culture.

"I am glad that PRAU and UPDF have heard our cry, thank you for coming in at this time to help us with the cleaning up of this hospital," Dr. Lawrence Kazibwe, the Acting Deputy Director of Kawempe Referral Hospital said.

Kazibwe said, though the cleaning services are outsourced, it means a lot to see such institutions come to give a hand.

Brig. Karemire and PRAU president Sarah Kagingo leading the team. (Photo by Owen Wagabaza)

According to Dr. Kazibwe, Kawempe referral hospital is a specialized facility that mostly receives mothers and children below 16 years.

"On average we receive 200-300 mothers and children a day, and for deliveries, we see a number of 100 to 150 every day and 25 percent of these deliveries are C-section.

However, this facility was built with a 200-bed capacity, yet we get very high turnover," Dr. Kazibwe said.

The event saw the public relations body and the UPDF clean all wards, lavatories, slashing and planting of trees and green grass aimed at giving the hospital a green ambiance.

Sarah Kagingo, the PRAU president commended the UPDF for accepting the partnership for a good cause.

"We decided to approach UPDF who are renowned for responding to emergencies and during Army week they do such activities. They are critical partners and we thank them for providing all the cleaning implements," the PRAU president said.

 The team planted trees to commemorate the event.  (Photo by Owen Wagabaza)

Speaking on behalf of the UPDF Chief of Defense Forces, UPDF spokesperson Brig Richard Karemire said the UPDF was delighted to be at Kawempe referral hospital not for security reasons but to support yet another noble cause.

"We are here as partners to PRAU to conduct a very noble duty of ensuring that our health facilities are clean as a way of improving the health of the people of Uganda," Brig Karemire said.

He appreciated PRAU through its President Kagingo for choosing UPDF as a partner in this operation adding that supporting civilians has always been part of the UPDF targets and on many occasions, this has been well demonstrated.

Karemire called on PRAU to take the next gig outside Kampala so that other people outside Kampala can fully benefit from UPDF and PRAU social activities.