On Independence Day, excitement filled the nutritional ward unit at Lira Regional Referral Hospital as students from Dr Obote College, Lira, donated essential food packages for babies suffering from malnutrition and other preventable diseases affecting their energy, growth, and cellular repair.

Addressing the students at the ward, Sister Paska Erima, a Senior Nursing Officer in the nutrition department, explained that due to weakness and low body weight, they always ensure that F75 is given to stabilise the babies and help them gain energy, as it contains a minimal percentage of protein.

She noted that F100, which contains only 28% protein, also helps in body building, and they always give more of it to help the children gain weight as they grow.

Sister Paska added that at the nutrition unit, some children had developed malaria. When malaria affects the entire body, all body systems are affected because of low immunity, she explained.

As a result, a child may lose appetite and body weight will drop, forcing mothers to seek help at health facilities to save the child’s life.

Many children, she said, are affected due to domestic issues, such as when the mother falls sick, is addicted to alcohol, or fails to follow the guidelines given to her.

Dr Sheila Mercy Abonyo, who works at the pediatric surgery unit, thanked the Dr. Obote College students for their donation, which ensured that over 10 babies in the unit benefited.

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She explained that the unit is for children with congenital mouth formations and other illnesses contracted during birth under certain conditions.

Dr. Abonyo revealed that the unit serves the majority of the greater North, including Teso, Karamoja, Acholi, Lango, and the West Nile sub-regions.

Franco Owinyi, a teacher at Dr Obote College, who accompanied the students to the referral hospital, stated that they are preparing their learners for the future.

He said that Dr Obote College teaches students not only in the classroom but also how to help the community by sacrificing themselves to do charity work, offering the little they have to share with disabled persons, sick patients, and others, so they can become future leaders.

He noted that the money was collected from within their students.

Owinyi appreciated the management of Dr. Obote College for allowing their kind-hearted students to always sacrifice some of their pocket money to help members of the local community.

He noted that last year they went to Negtta Babies Home and delivered packages of food items, and next year they are expected to donate again at other facilities.

Teacher Owinyi stated that this year they chose Lira Regional Referral Hospital after a site visit by the students on October 6, 2026, where they discovered that babies in the nutrition ward lack nutritious food.

Some of the mothers who received the packages appreciated the Dr Obote College students for the heart they showed in providing them with the items.

Eunice Apio, who hails from Alito sub-county in Kole district and is taking care of her grandchild with pneumonia, was overjoyed after receiving the food items, especially on Independence Day.

Meanwhile, Judith Apio, who comes from Pader district and has now been at the facility for one month, thanked the management of Lira Regional Referral Hospital for the services they provide to ensure patients heal, and also thanked the students for the gift they offered.

Smule Omara, a student at Dr Obote College and also a team leader, stated that this is an initiative from the students who decided to make a small contribution from their pocket money.

Omara added that they want their future to be bright, and they shall be offering their gifts yearly on every Independence Day celebration.