AMOLATAR, September 14, 2023 – More than 4,000 residents of Amolatar district in Northern Uganda were screened and treated in a free medical camp organised by the district Woman Member of Parliament, Dr. Agnes Atim Apea.
The camp which was held at Aguludia Primary School in Namasale Sub-county days ago, offered services such as tests, dentistry, gynecology, pediatrics, general medicine, orthopedics, ophthalmology, and pharmacy.
According to Dr. Walter Luru, the medical director of Amai community hospital a total of 40 extreme cases of cervical cancer, advanced cancer, diabetes, and hypotension were referred to Amai Community Hospital for further medical attention.
He commended MP Apea for organising the free medical camp, saying it has covered some gaps in health service delivery in the district.
“The resources are limited but I am happy this initiative by the district Woman Member of Parliament may not be enough to help the impoverished community, but nonetheless, it has covered some gap,” said Luru.
Luru said Amolator district is surrounded by water bodies, lakes Kwania and Kioga, putting the community in danger of contracting waterborne diseases such as bilharzia, cholera, dysentery and others.
He said poverty has again made it hard for the community to access quality health service since better facilities like the Amolatar Health Centre IV is located 30 kilometres away from Namasale Sub-county.
Apea said Amolatar district is a hard-to-reach area which makes access to quality healthcare services a big challenge, and above all, she said, the district has a high population.
The MP urged other leaders in the district to supplement government by coming up with initiatives that address the challenges that citizens face.
“As leaders, we are supposed to identify challenges in the community and come up with innovative solutions because there is high demand for health services everywhere in the country,” said Dr Apea.
She called upon the government to upgrade the Amolatar Health Centre IV to a district hospital.
“We have Amai Hospital which is a community hospital, but I think it is also high time we start elevating Amolatar Health Centre IV to a hospital status so that it can better serve the high population,” she said.
Judith Adongo, 35, a resident of Alako village, Namasale Sub-county, was happy that she was screened during the medical and referred to Amai Community to have her mouth gum worked on for free.
She said after a medical examination two years ago, she was referred to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital for surgery but she did not go due to financial constraints.
Milly Adero, a resident of Atopi village, Acii Sub-county, said she was screened with high blood pressure and ulcers and given free treatment.
“I was given free treatment and I want to appreciate Dr Apea for bringing medical services nearer to us,” said Adero.
James Auna, former district councilor said poor road network and lack of transport have rendered the community more vulnerable. He urged the government to improve the standard of health units in the district.
https://thecooperator.news/2000-patients-in-otuke-benefit-from-medical-camp/
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