UGANDA: Free Health Camp at Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital in Uganda

By Sr. Sarah Muhindo (DST)

Mt. St Mary’s Hospital in Uganda’s Diocese of Kasese has had a “free of charge” four-day health camp from 1st to 4th July, at the Hospital in Kasese Municipality. The urogynaecological camp at the Hospital focuses on conditions related to the female pelvic floor such as uterine prolapse and other related cases. The medical camp is being funded by the Conrad Hilton Foundation in partnership with the Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU) under the Health network which is being coordinated by the National Coordinator Rev. Sr. Maria Goretti Kabakaali of Banyatheresa Sisters Fortporal.

Under the health network, Religious sisters in Uganda working in different health sectors are identifying health-related challenges within the different communities they are serving and can find means of making community outreaches, and where possible they are helping communities overcome these challenges.

Sr. Kabakaali said in rural areas, access to medical facilities and doctors is limited, a situation that comes because of poverty and inability to pay medical bills. As a result, people in rural areas end up dying of diseases that can easily be treated.

The cost of transportation and medical care can be prohibitively expensive, which can deter people from seeking treatment. Additionally, a lack of awareness and education about healthcare can further exacerbate the problem, leading to a higher incidence of preventable illnesses and diseases.

To address these issues, health camps have emerged as an effective solution. These camps are typically organized by healthcare organizations, NGOs, or government bodies and are conducted in rural areas to provide medical care and create awareness about healthcare.

Conrad Hilton Foundation has made partnerships with Religious sisters worldwide and is funding institutes that play bigger roles and have a very big impact on the community. Funds have been released by the above-mentioned stake-holder to the congregations and these funds are disbursed through coordinators of each network and are implementing several projects with the sisters taking full control over them after their release.