The Rotary Club of Masaka City, together with the Masaka City Health Department and Dfcu Bank organized a free medical camp which attracted more than 1,000 people seeking treatment and health services.
The outreach, held at St. Charles Lwanga Primary School in Kyabakuza, Kimaanya–Kabonera Division, offered a wide range of services including diabetes and hypertension screening, malaria testing, eye checkups, dental care, HIV/AIDS counseling and testing, cervical and breast cancer screening, tuberculosis testing, and treatment for common ailments such as colds, flu, and skin infections.
However, only about 800 patients were able to receive full treatment due to overwhelming numbers and limited supplies.
Leaders of the initiative expressed concern over the community’s growing disease burden, noting that many residents are unaware of their health conditions, while those who know cannot afford medical care.
Madrine Namayengo, President of the Rotary Club of Masaka City, said the camp aligns with Rotary’s mission to promote public health by partnering with stakeholders to reach vulnerable communities.
“Many people, especially the elderly, fail to buy prescribed medicines because they are too expensive,” Namayengo said. “We had planned for 1,000 patients but the numbers exceeded our expectations. This shows how great the need is.”
She called on national and local health officials to reassess the state of public health, identify the most common diseases, and ensure that health facilities are adequately stocked with essential drugs.
The camp’s lead physician, Dr. Jjunju Luwaga of All Saints Clinic, noted that most of the illnesses treated are preventable. He urged the community to embrace healthier habits.
“People need mindset change. Many of the diseases we see are curable and preventable, but the community lacks information,” he said.
He singled out dental problems as one of the rapidly rising conditions across all age groups, blaming excessive consumption of sugary foods and poor oral hygiene.
Rotarian Dr. Rev. Fr. Edward Ssekabanja echoed this call, stressing the importance of early testing and routine medical checkups.
“Early consultation helps prevent complications and huge medical bills,” he said. “Health officials should intensify awareness campaigns, especially about diseases caused by poor hygiene. These are simple issues that can be managed if sanitation is prioritized.”
Dfcu Bank Masaka Branch Manager, Benjamin Bugingo, said the bank partnered with Rotary under a UGX 1 billion corporate social responsibility program geared toward providing free medical services to communities in need.
“We know many of our customers go through difficult situations. This is our way of giving back to them,” he said.
Many residents who attended the camp expressed deep appreciation, revealing that they often fail to access medical care due to financial constraints.
The medical outreach began with health education sessions focused on proper hygiene, sanitation, and preventive health practices—aimed at reducing the burden of disease and the cost of treatment for families.
As the camp concluded, Rotary leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting public health initiatives and promised to organize more outreaches as resources allow.
