By Jumah Kakomo
On Saturday, the Rotary Club of Mengo, in partnership with several development organizations, conducted a vital outreach clinic in Busiika Town Council and surrounding communities.
The initiative, which provided free medical services, aimed to address critical healthcare gaps in the region. Services offered included immunizations for polio and tuberculosis (TB), dental care, family planning, AIDS testing, and cancer screenings for prostate and cervical cancer, among others.
Dr. Patrick Muhindo, the project manager, expressed concern over the overwhelming number of patients seeking care at the clinic, highlighting the urgent need for more health facilities in Uganda’s urban areas. He warned that Uganda’s cities, often seen as hubs of economic activity, are also becoming hotspots for infectious diseases, mental health issues, and non-communicable diseases.
“Urban areas are hotbeds for infectious diseases, mental health concerns, and non-communicable diseases,” Dr. Muhindo explained. “We need urgent action to address these issues and improve the quality of life for urban residents.”
Dr. Muhindo called on the government to increase funding for urban health initiatives, improve healthcare infrastructure and equipment, enhance community outreach programs, and recruit and train more healthcare professionals.
He emphasized that providing quality healthcare services in urban areas would help reduce health disparities, promote economic growth, and improve overall public well-being.
“The time for action is now,” he urged. “We owe it to our people to ensure they receive quality healthcare, regardless of where they live.”
The President of the Rotary Club of Mengo, Pafra Mulambuzi, reiterated the organization’s commitment to providing healthcare to the underprivileged, especially in underserved areas like Busiika. “Our goal is to ensure that everyone has access to quality healthcare, regardless of their socio-economic status,” Mulambuzi said. “Healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege.”
Mulambuzi also called for further collaboration between development partners to bridge the healthcare gap for vulnerable communities. “We cannot do this alone. We need our partners to join us in ensuring that the most vulnerable have access to free, quality healthcare. Together, we can make a difference.”
The community members in Busiika expressed heartfelt gratitude for the free services provided by the Rotary Club, many sharing that they were suffering from serious health conditions but could not afford the medical care they needed. The outreach clinic was a much-needed lifeline for those unable to seek care at local health facilities due to financial constraints.
This initiative underscores the critical need for more accessible and affordable healthcare in Uganda, especially in urban and semi-urban areas, and highlights the role of community organizations in filling the gap left by public healthcare systems.
