At least 3,000 people from the areas of Rushanje in Rwampara, Mbarara district received medical care from good Samaritans under the Archdiocese of Mbarara Development Association (AMDA), a group of Christians hailing from Ankole but living and working in Kampala and the surrounding areas.
The Medical Camp that focused on all kinds of ailments was conducted at Rushanje Parish. 24 people were also able to gain their sight after successful eye cataract surgeries, one of the key services at the Camp.
Dr. Rodrigo Nyinoburyo head of the AMDA Medical Council, confirms that a total 3,033 were served, with 328 treated for optical conditions.
Also, 327 patients received dental services, especially provided for by the UPDF and the Uganda Police doctors who joined the good cause.
In addition, the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCU), provided cancer screening services using the newly commissioned mammography van and screened for the cervix, prostate and breast cancers. At least 176 people were screened, and by the end of the exercise, 6 positive cases were identified.
Dr. Noleb Mugisha from UCU said the positive cases were all referred to the regional Cancer Centre at Mbarara for management.
Other conditions screened during the Medical Camp included 188 gynecological conditions, 545 laboratory tests including; malaria, HIV, syphilis, pregnancy, while 2,135 people were treated for general medical conditions like infections and general body pains.
"All the 3000 people received health education on HIV, TB, non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, self-breast exam for breast cancer," Dr. Rodrigo said adding that patients who were treated and needed further treatment or review had been referred to Bugamba Health Centre IV which was a major Partner in the Medical Camp.
"Specialized services like Dental, optic, gynecology services and cancer screening were mostly sought after," Dr. Rodrigo added.
The AMDA Medical Camp was conducted in partnership with the National Medical Stores ( NMS) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) who provided all the medicines for the camp, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) provided Laboratory services and optical services, while Uganda Police Force provided dental services and optical services.
Also, Biometrics Products Ltd provided assortments of different medical supplies; Mulago Hospital conducted the cataract eye surgeries while Mbarara University provided clinical services. The Mbarara district Health department and Bugamba HCIV in Rwampara coordinated with AMDA as a major partner for the camp.
AMDA Chaplain Fr. Dr. Darius Magunda said the Medical Camp, a component of the AMDA Caravan, an annual event, was part of the community's effort to put faith to action, by giving back to the community.
He said the AMDA annual medical camp supplements government’s efforts to give good health services to the population but also help identify areas where the government needs to put more emphasis, especially on preventing diseases like cancer and other non-communicable diseases.
"We realized that our population still has a challenge of low incomes and once a person is diagnosed with a condition like cancer, they may not be able to afford the treatment. So the government needs to put emphasis in making sure that such cases receive cheaper or free treatment and more so, more efforts on prevention because as they say, prevention is better than cure," Fr. Magunda told a press.
Rushanje Parish Priest Fr. Hillary Katusiime expressed gratitude saying the Medical Camp saying had come in handy especially for people who needed services like cancer screening, dental and optical attention - services that need specialists who are normally scarce in the rural areas.
"The entire population in Rwampara thanks AMDA for this initiative. I have talked to a number of patients who really appreciate this service," he said.
On behalf of the UPDF and other government agencies, Capt. Stephen Akiiki Byaruhanga 2nd Division spokesperson said they were happy to provide services to the population through initiatives like the AMDA Medical Camp.
"As a people's army, we are always happy to be party of community development service and our doctors are ready to always participate in such initiatives," Capt. Akiiki said.
Meanwhile, AMDA Chairman Dr. Gaston Ampe thanked all partners including the UPDF and the Uganda Police Force among others for providing supplies and support to AMDA teams which was the source of the impact on the ground.
The Medical Camp was part of the Annual AMDA Caravan where Christians go back to the Catholic Archdiocese covering Ankole and do evangelization and community development work, including economic empowerment talks, education development discussions, women empowerment seminars, leadership development and legal aide, among others.
This year, AMDA visited the parishes of Rwoho and Rushanje, all in Rwampara from Friday September 14 to Sunday September 16.