Over 2500 people in Ankole Sub-region have started to benefit from a week-long medical camp organized by the ministry of health in collaboration with the association of Surgeons of Uganda.
The Permanent Secretary ministry of health Dr. Diana Atwine says the free health camp will run from 22nd to 29th September 2024, in 11 district and encouraged people in the districts that make up Ankole Sub-region, to register at government health facilities.
“You have decided to go give life to those people that have been suffering with illnesses sitting in their homes in the remotest areas and that is a commendable.”
“This is going to be the largest medical camp in the country and 2,500 cases are not a joke in week, meaning you are going to be working 12 hours a day and that sacrifice will not go unnoticed,” remarked Atwiine.
“What you are doing is beyond a professional output and it is a basket of blessings for yourself and families because God can never ignore that sacrifice,” she added, while flagging off the medical specialists.
So far hundreds have turned up already according to Dr. Garukande Moses, the President of the Association of Surgeons of Uganda (ASOU) who notes that over 400 surgeons and specialists have descended on the Ankole sub-region to carry out free specialized surgeries.
While representing the Arch-Bishop Kazimba Mugalu,the Bishop of South Ankole Diocese, Nathan Ahimbisibwe notes that the move is a huge milestone in putting a stop at the number of deaths that occur daily owing to the fact that every year 150,000 people die every day globally.
“Every second 2 people die and so it is a very good thing to donate your skills and time towards saving lives. In fact, for you medics it is a good way to say thank you to God for having preserved your lives for all these years,” he remarked.
The centers for the camp are Kiruhura HCIV, Rushere Community Hospital, Kazo HCIV, Ishongororo HCIV, Uganda Martyrs Kagongo Hospital, Ishaka Adventist Hospital, Kampala International University Teaching Hospital, Bwizibwera HCIV, Mbarara Regional Referral and Teaching Hospital, Kinoni HCIV, Rubaare HCIV, Nyamuyanja HCIV, Rugaga HCIV, Kitwe HCIV, Kitagata Hospital, Nsiika HCIV, Rugazi HCIV, Mitooma HCIV, Kabuyanda HCIV, Ruhoko HCIV, Mbarara University & Referral Hospital Eye Centre, and Ruhoko HCIV.
Last year the annual medical camp was in Lango sub-region and it saw about 500 people get operated and next year they will choose another region in a rotational manner.
Medicines worth over a billion shillings have been donated towards the cause.