A total of 70 women from Lira district have been selected to attend a specialised urogynaecology surgery at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital in Gulu City.

The selection follows a community awareness and screening exercise held at Aromo Health Centre III in Erute North, Lira district.

The exercise, which attracted over 300 women, was organised through the lobbying efforts of the area Member of Parliament, Patrick Ongom Aregedeng. It specifically targeted women living with various urogynecological conditions to provide them with much-needed surgical interventions.

Speaking on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, during the screening process at Aromo Health Centre III, Dr James Okello, the Head of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, emphasised the importance of the initiative.

He noted that the activity brought together women from surrounding communities for health education, screening, and guidance on available treatment options for conditions affecting reproductive and urinary health.

During the outreach, Dr Okello urged health workers and mobilisers to educate women about urogynecological conditions and the importance of seeking timely medical care.

He encouraged women not to suffer in silence but to seek professional attention immediately upon experiencing symptoms.

Following the screening, 70 women were identified as requiring further assessment and are now scheduled for referral to Gulu.

Dr Okello also disclosed that the camp, supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), aims to improve access to essential reproductive and women’s health services, particularly for those facing challenges in accessing specialised care.

He credited MP Patrick Ongom Aregedeng for his lobbying power in bringing urogynecological services closer to the community and increasing awareness about available treatment options.

MP Ongom underscored the significance of the screening exercise. “Many women in our communities are living with these complications without knowing that treatment is available,” he said.

“I encourage all women experiencing such problems to visit any facility to get screened and seek medical attention. The identification of 70 women for further treatment is an important step, and I will continue supporting all our mothers.”

He called upon women not to suffer in silence and appreciated the health workers at Lira RRH, mobilizers, and UNFPA for their support of the initiative.

Beneficiaries of the project also expressed their gratitude. Aceng Eunice, a resident of Bala in Kole district, appreciated MP Patrick Ongom for acknowledging the challenges mothers face.

“He collaborated with the medical team to bring this screening to our county. This is a real leader,” she said, urging the MP to continue supporting mothers with such complications.

Ketty Adero, a resident of Owinyo in Lira City East Division, thanked the MP for the initiative, noting that many mothers suffer from complications arising from childbirth.

“I encourage the MP to continue valuing the lives of the people who have trusted him with their votes,” she stated.

Similarly, Santa Akello from Aromo in Lira district expressed optimism that many affected women will be helped and regain their normal health.

She appealed to other leaders to emulate the bright initiative championed by MP Aregedeng.

What is urogynaecology? It is a highly specialised branch of medicine that addresses pelvic floor disorders in women