Sinohydro stages free medical day for Karuma community

Hundreds of residents from both banks of Karuma dam over the weekend turned up at Karuma Primary school  in Northern Uganda, for free medical day, courtesy of Sinohydro Corporation, the contractors of the 600MW Karuma Dam.

The medical Day, which is part of the Company's Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, saw a team of Chinese Medical Experts including highly trained Doctors and nurses from China, spent entire Saturday diagnosing a myriad of ailments and administering treatment to the people of Kamdini and Kiryadongo districts from both banks of the project.

Speaking at the event, Chu Mao Ming, the Political Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Uganda said the Free Medical Day was a demonstration of the cordial relationship Uganda has with the People's Republic of China.

"Ugandans are our brothers and sisters and we are worried about you're your health conditions. We want to do everything possible to improve your access to medical services. Since 2007, the Chinese government has extended medical services to Uganda, including building the country's second largest hospital located in Naguru and facilitating 160 Chinese medical Experts who are in Uganda working alongside their Ugandan counterparts to tackle complex medical issues" Mao-Ming said.

In his welcome remarks, Deng Chang-Yi the Deputy Manager of Sino Hydro said the Company's mandate has not ended with construction of the dam but also extended to improving the living conditions of the people around the project area.

Hundreds line up to be checked by Chinese Doctors during the free medical day.

"The neighboring communities have been with us every step of the way. As a gesture of good will and part of our commitment to "give back" to the supporting communities, we have integrated corporate social responsibilities in our operation and strategic planning. To date, we have made donations of school supplies and learning materials to Karuma Primary School, drilled boreholes and wells for the Village around Karuma, renovated several access roads for the adjoining villages and provided road accident rescue including the initiation of this Free Medical Service. All these activities are aimed at enhancing our bond and fostering a harmonious environment", Deng Chang-Yi said.

He added that the Free Medical Services is an embodiment of Sinohydro's continued friendship and amity for the people living in Karuma town and the local communities.

"In the next 3years, we will commit to construct hospitals and schools worth millions of dollars for the communities which together with Karuma Project will form a significant part of our monument".

On behalf of Uganda Electricity Generation Company limited (UEGCL) Isaac Mwesigwa the Company's Sociologist hailed Sinohydro for the good gesture of providing free medical services to communities but urged them to keep it in regular basis.

He said government is working on a Community Development Action Plan that will see most of the health centers in both banks of the project upgraded.

The Guest of honour for the occasion, The LC V Elect, Charles Chengtei Amooti appealed to Sinohydro to extend their good gesture to managing refuse and also expanding more roads within Kiryadongo district.