A joint effort by doctors and members of the Rotary Club of Mbarara has highlighted the urgent need for the government to provide specialized medical services at lower-tier health centers. This initiative aims to alleviate the strain on regional referral hospitals by addressing the healthcare needs of local communities more effectively.
During a recent Rotary medical camp held at Sanga Health Centre III in Kiruhura district, where over 500 individuals received treatment, Dr. Elias Kumbakumba, head of the pediatric department at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital and a Rotary Club member, emphasized the importance of extending specialized services to local health facilities. He noted that the high turnout of patients indicated dissatisfaction with the quality and range of services currently available at lower-tier health centers.
According to Dr. Kumbakumba, essential services such as dental, eye, and cervical cancer screenings for women, as well as diabetes and blood pressure check-ups, are often unavailable at these facilities. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the government to expand the provision of specialized services to communities, thereby reducing the burden on regional referral hospitals like Mbarara.
The Rotary Club of Mbarara played a crucial role in organizing the medical camp and identifying the specific healthcare needs of the community. Godfrey Kwikiriza, a club member overseeing the camp, highlighted the importance of providing specialized treatments that are not typically available at health center III level facilities. The overwhelming response from attendees underscored the community’s demand for additional medical services.
Hajji Muhamud Rwakiseta, a beneficiary of the medical camp, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to access free medication and called for extended support from organizations like Rotary. He emphasized the importance of such initiatives in providing relief to communities, particularly those unable to access specialized healthcare in distant locations like Mbarara.