In a bid to help vulnerable people access health services for their well-being, UMWA, in partnership with Smart Transitions, organized a health camp to provide the people of Kisaasi with free health services that are typically expensive and difficult to obtain at health centers.
The services that have been offered at the health camp, Umwa Premises in Kisaasi, have benefited over 200 people in the area, and this is incredibly important to the community, as the population exceeds the available health services.
UMWA Executive Director Margaret Sentamu expressed gratitude to the partners and sponsors for their collaboration in ensuring the success of the health camp, making free health services accessible to the community, especially since such services are difficult to obtain in the country.
According to Smart Transitions, health is a fundamental right, and it is crucial to ensure that women, especially young women, are equipped with the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.
During the health camp, Sarah Birungi Namuddu, the Executive Director of Smart Transitions, noted that although the Ministry of Health has made efforts to provide health services to the public, much still needs to be done, especially now that USAID funding has been reduced. She emphasized that young girls and women living with HIV need access to health services and called on the Ministry to reconsider how these services can be made more accessible.
The Project Manager for Centenary Group Foundation, Ceasar Kimbugwe, noted that they work towards supporting adolescent girls and young women in preventing HIV infection by promoting their economic empowerment. This includes mentoring, providing startup kits for their businesses, and offering vocational training to ensure that a lack of money does not put girls at risk of contracting HIV.
He appreciated the men who attended the health camp, noting that many men are often reluctant to seek health services. He encouraged them to advocate for seeking healthcare among their peers in order to change the narrative that men don’t prioritize their health.
Doctor. Ronald Ssali from Marie Stopes Uganda said that many women who are hesitant to use modern family planning methods are often misled by myths and misconceptions. However, Marie Stopes is working diligently to dispel these myths through social behavioral change and communication, encouraging women to embrace family planning and take charge of planning their families.
Additionally, Jonathan Ntabaazi, a senior member of the Uganda RedCross, Kampala East branch, revealed that the organization is designing a system called the Blood Donor recruitment which will allow them to easily reach blood donors directly through phone calls and emails, making blood donation more accessible.
A gynecologist from Praise Medical Centre Kisaasi, Dr. Gerald Karuhanga, expressed concern over people who take long to access health centers when they are sick, which has left many suffering from illnesses that affect their well-being. He advised the public to seek medical attention promptly whenever they face health challenges, so they can receive the necessary help at the right time.
Laila Ndagire, a Project Officer at UMWA and one of the key organizers of the camp, noted that in commemoration of International Women’s Day, they engage in various events, with the health camp being one of them. She added that this camp has been instrumental in helping people address health challenges, such as the difficulty many face in accessing services at health centers. Issues like long waiting times and the risk of not being served have highlighted the need for better ways to serve the community.
Beneficiaries have received services such as HIV testing and counseling, deworming, hypertension check-ups, cough treatment, breast and cervical cancer screening, family planning, and other health services.
During the camp, Dr. Katja Yvonne Kerschbaumer, the Head of the Austrian Embassy/Development Cooperation Office in Uganda, was briefed on the activities taking place at the health camp and expressed her appreciation to UMWA, Smart Transitions, and the sponsors for their excellent work.
This camp was sponsored by Marie Stopes, Praise Medical Centre, Uganda RedCross, Centenary Foundation, and Pepsi.
