RUKUNGIRI- A total of 6246 people have turned for free Cancer and Tuberclosis screening in Rukungiri at Rukungiri health centre 1V in a three days health camp organised by Rukungiri Municipality legislator DR. Elisa Rutahigwa.
The health camp that was opened on Wednesday was closed on Friday by Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa the municipality member of parliament.
The coordinator of the health Camp, Moses Tumwine said that since Wednesday they have registered 6246 patients who turned up for just illness which is TB and cancer screening.
The Rukungiri Municipality Member of Parliament Hon. Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa said when he checked on the national diseases that are very common he found out that TB and cancer was alarming in Rukungiri.
Rutahigwa attributed high rate of cancer to the eating style of the people and what people use in day today activities.
“The eating habits have tremendously changed in the whole country especially those who have money in their pockets have to eat fried food, meat, Milk, sodas and many others that encourage development of cancer cells,” he said.
He added that some people in Rukungiri especially in villages people still share straws and cups when they are drinking their porridge which also encourages transmission of Tuberculosis.
“One patient of Tuberculosis can infect 10 on daily basis if is not on drugs and still in public because it can be taken by mere air,” he said.
Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa said the camp has addressed healthcare backlogs resulting from people not accessing services or knowing their health status related to Tuberculosis (TB) and cancer both in men and women.
Cancer screening was mainly for breast and cervical for women and prostate in Men.
Corinerious Musinguzi the focal person of TB in the district said 14 new patients where found Tuberculosis various who started their medication immediately while over 100 were still waiting for their results.
He said about 760 TB patients are found with TB virus in Rukungiri district annually.
He said TB was among threatening diseases in the district but said their drugs are available only that people don’t come for testing and even some who are on drugs leave medication before he/ she heals completely.
Cornelius Musinguzi praised Dr. Rutahirwa for bringing the health camp to Rukungiri, highlighting its significance in the fight against TB
Musinguzi said the highest TB cases are found in Bwambara, Nyakagyeme, Nyarushanje, and Nyakishenyi sub-counties.
Ruth Tumuheirwe one of the beneficiaries thanked Dr. Rutahigwa for giving them necessary services and know their status as they were unable to pay for medical testing at private clinics and hospitals.
