Lira | Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Uganda’s Health Minister, launched the long-awaited women and children’s health camp on Tuesday, as part of a specialised health services initiative.
The camp aims to address the health needs of women and children in the Lango sub-region.
The health camp came to fruition this year after a similar camp run by the Association of Surgeons of Uganda, which successfully operated on over 1,400 patients from across the subregion.
The women and children’s health camp, which is currently taking place at the former Akii Bua Stadium in Lira City, has seen a large turnout of hundreds of people seeking free medical services.
Giving an account of the health camp activities, the Health Minister, who also serves as the Lira City woman Member of Parliament, says the camp offers a variety of specialised services such as HIV/AIDS testing, mammography, cancer screening, and surgical procedures.
Dr. Aceng thanked the Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Uganda, the Uganda Cancer Institute, and other collaborators for their assistance in this successful course.
While launching the five-day health camp earlier, Minister Aceng stated that it aims to address the region’s backlog of health services, particularly for women and children.
She emphasised the value of healthy communities, saying, as she often does, “A healthy community is a productive community.”
This month, Uganda celebrates Postpartum Haemorrhage Awareness Month, and Minister Aceng recognises the critical health issue that is the leading cause of death for women during childbirth.
Also read: MP Dr. Aceng holds a mini-medical camp for Lango pilgrims
The Minister also emphasised the importance of raising awareness and education about this issue among expectant mothers, particularly during the antenatal period.
Dr. Andrew Odur, a gynaecologist at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, told tndNews that the high turnout was due to the population’s long standing difficulties in accessing proper health services, which are caused by a variety of factors including poverty.
According to Dr. Odur, about 15% of Ugandan families face barriers to accessing essential health services.
“Approximately 15% of the Uganda population find difficulties in accessing good health care services and this often forces them to sacrifice their assets in order to receive medical attention,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lira City Resident Commissioner Lawrence Emmy Egole has condemned the mushrooming propaganda, particularly those surrounding the medical camp.
RCC Egole stressed that misinformation has a negative impact on service delivery, growth, and development.
He also chastised those spreading false information about the camp, stating that it aims to assist hundreds of people from the Lango sub-region regardless of political, religious, or cultural affiliations.
The Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Uganda organised the five-day camp, which will end on July 9, 2024.
The camp also provides free mental health services, surgeries, breast cancer screening, and infertility services to approximately 2,000 patients.
Happy beneficiaries speak out
Beatrice Odongo from Dokolo district sought Postpartum Haemorrhage care. She has encouraged other women to participate in the health camp and take advantage of free medical services to help them manage their condition.
Some of those who turned up to be treated.
“I came all the way from Dokolo district to get medical help regarding my condition. Therefore, I call on women under the child birth age to embrace the camp and know their health condition,” she added.
Rose Akello, a Village Health Team official from Ngetta in Lira City, says she has been dealing with health issues and is grateful for the Health Minister’s good work.
According to Akello, many of the locals die as a result of various health complications.
“As a VHT member, our communities are grappling with different health related complications. Some die because of the inability to access health care services and also high rates of poverty,” she added.
Imat Mary Jemiducu, a resident of Teso Bar in Lira City, recognises the importance of the health camp, which has arrived at the appropriate time.
She also advises women and girls to rely on health services, particularly cervical cancer screening, to help them avoid such reproductive issues.
Tereza Atap of Alebtong district appreciated Minister Aceng’s well-accounted service delivery in the Lango sub-region.
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