Uganda Martyrs Namugongo alumni medical camp helps thousands

Uganda Martyrs Senior Secondary School alumni last week held a medical camp at the school’s pond that saw over 1000 people tested and treated for different ailments like malaria, diabetes and fungal infections among others. This was under their umbrella body, Uganda Martyrs Old Students Association Namugongo (UMOSAN). 

Among these were 120 medical doctors and pharmacists from different universities including Makerere, Gulu and Mbarara. Not only did they prescribe drugs but were also actively involved in tetanus immunization, HIV testing and counselling and donating food and relief items like bed nets and blankets to the patients.

In a survey that was carried out at the end of the survey revealed that women and children had a high turnover compared to men and malaria, Hypertension and Diabetes were the commonest ailments.  

According to Aaron Ssemakula, the chairman UMOSAN, camps such as these are a culture that enables students who have passed through the school to give back freely to the community.

“We are not only stopping at medical camps but other services like career guidance and a lawyers’ camp are in the pipeline,” Ssemakula said.

He however said there was a challenge of gathering drugs from health centres as many were not willing to give their drugs freely for purposes of accountability.

Hon Sarah Ndoboli Kataike, the state minister for health was the chief guest at the function. She advised students to embrace courses like nursing that are selling like hot cake currently. 

She also drew the crowd’s attention to challenges in the health system that is currently limping with blood scarcity and inadequate specialized health workers in anaesthesia and surgery.

“Do not leave your country in search for greener pastures and yet your brothers and sisters are dying. Issues of money are temporary and the health ministry has embarked on increasing health workers salary and is offering scholarships for medical students,” she said.

As a way of encouraging the students to sustain the art of giving back to the community, she offered Shs 1m.

The camp was supported by Kira Health Centre III, Quality Chemicals, and Uganda Martyrs Hospital, Kirekka. This is the fifth year the alumni are holding a medical camp.