A two-day medical camp jointly organized by Kampala University Muslim Students Association (KUMSA), Nkokonjeru Town Council and the Muslim medical fraternity in Buikwe health units has been held at Nkokonjeru Health Centre III.
The free health camp covered laboratory services, minor surgeries, safe male circumcision, orthopedic treatment, general medicine, optical care and treatment.
According to the camp supervisor, Kabugo Muzafaru, a Senior Clinical Medical Officer attached to Bufumbo Muslim Health Unit in Najja sub-county, Buikwe district, the intervention was geared at giving back to communities in a manner of corporate social responsibility.
He said the camp is one of similar ones already held or being organised for communities in Busia, Jinja and Buikwe, adding that they also plan to hold one in Gulu City.
Kabugo noted that besides bringing services closer to communities, they have the objective of inspiring learners to love the medical discipline, and grasp the Muslim culture of visiting, treating and counselling sick ones and a treatment intervention.
Nkokonjeru Health Centre III-unit management committee chairman Stephen Muluya said his unit, newly elevated from a health centre II status, normally experiences stock outs rendering it impossible to provide full doses as prescribed to patients.
Muluya observed that KUMSA has done them a good turn, and added that it will go a long way in cementing relations between itself and Nkokonjeru town council.
He discouraged the act of self-medication by communities, and blamed it for disease resistance due to administration of wrong prescriptions by locals.
Community members variously appreciated KUMSA members for the gesture, saying it has saved them the bother of buying expensive drugs from private and missionary medical outlets.
Kiyingi Joseph, a resident, said the camp is timely, and expressed optimism that it becomes a regular occurrence to address the needs of community members started with ailments in their ailing general poverty among communities, the camp has served a great purpose.
By the close of day-one of the camp, over 400 patients had been examined and treated, and given a new lease of hope in their life.
