KANUNGU– Over 3000 residents of Kanungu and the neighbouring districts have received free treatment at a one day medical camp organized by the family of late Masesane with an intention of giving back to the community.
A team of medics pitched camp at Kambuga hospital in Kambuga town council, Kanungu district to attend to people with various ailments.
The free medical camp was organized with an intention of extending medical care services to the rural vulnerable people and it was the first of its kind in the lifetime history of Kanungu district.
Dr. Denis Agaba, the head of medical team said that the services offered at the camp included treatment for diabetes, hypertension, Dental, HIV testing and counseling as well as cervical cancer checkups among others.
Dr. Agaba added that they were overwhelmed by the huge turn up of people seeking medical services at the camp adding that most of the patients were screened with Hypertension and diabetes adding that there was an increase of STL’s among women.
“We were overwhelmed by the number of people who were seeking medical assistance from the camp. This is a clear sign that the government should at least extend health services at parish level or else lives will be lost” Dr. Agaba said.
Mr. Martine Mercy Atwongyirwe, the master mind of the medical camp says they thought of this campaign because there is a gap in health care and much worse among local vulnerable people adding that most of them are exposed to diseases and infections and yet they are the least cared about.
“We thought having a medical camp could be a way of giving back to our community because we know that there is a gap in the government’s health care systems mostly when it comes to rural people.” Atwongyirwe said.
Mr. Atwongyirwe added that “most of our people don’t have money and they are old enough meaning that they are unable to access expensive medical care services. Even meeting a doctor or any other health worker is also expensive to some of them. So organizing this medical camp was rally a necessity because we believe that we can save two or more lives’.
Ms Mbale Mugisha 69 years, a resident of Katete town council Kanungu district described the event as very fruitful saying that she had suffered from many illnesses but because of money shortage she had never got any medical assistance thus thanking the organizers.
“I started feeling pain in my legs about 6 years ago and I had never received any medical assistance since I had no money. I used to visit Katete health center III but couldn’t find any help. Nurses used to send me to private clinics because drugs that deal with my illnesses were not there but today I am happy that I have got some drugs” Ms Mbale said.
Moses Kabagambe 82 years, another patient and a resident of Kihihi town council Kanungu district he had a problem chest pain for almost a year and hopes of getting treatment were not there because of Money.
“Am happy that my problem has been addressed and I strongly believe that I will recover.Thank you our sons and daughters for your good heart” Mr. Kabagambe said.
Mr. Mugaba Ramadan, 57 years and a resident of Kambuga town council hailed the organizers saying that his long-time illness had finally got a solution.
‘’I developed a hole in his tooth about 2 years but it was during this camp that doctors cemented my tooth am now a happy man’’.
