Residents of Masindi and surrounding areas were over the weekend treated to a free Airtel Uganda regional health camp as part of the telco’s efforts to give back to the community in which they operate.
The camp, that was held at Bwijanga Health Center IV located on Masindi – Hoima road, was the third health camp for the year sponsored by the telecommunications company in fulfilment of the health pillar of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. This camp saw many locals including prisoners from Uganda Prison Farm Isimba get a chance to receive free treatment.
Every year, Airtel Uganda offers free medical services to hundreds of community members in an effort to improve their wellbeing and empower them with the basic health information and services they need to make appropriate health decisions. These health camps are done in partnership with Hinds Feet Project Uganda along with various medical practitioners and health institutions such as Red Cross, Cancer Institute, Doctor Agrawal, Re-pad, Mariestopes, Uniliver and District health centers who volunteer their services and medical personnel to participate in the cause and treat thousands of Ugandans across the country with free diagnosis, treatment and referrals to major hospitals.
The health camps have also dedicated time to educating Ugandans on different topics such as HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health, maternal and child health, nutrition, hepatitis B, prevention of infectious diseases among others.
According to the Masindi District Health Office, there have been some efforts to improve the health situations; however, the health status of the population of Masindi is still poor with a high prevalence of infectious and communicable diseases, malaria, skin diseases and malnutrition among the general population especially in children under 5. Masindi district is also affected by other environmental health issues including acute diarrhea affecting 2.6% of the population, pneumonia, eye infections and genital infections. “This gesture is so much appreciated as it gives our people a chance to get free medical education and treatment,” she commented.
Speaking during the Masindi health fare, Airtel Uganda Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Mrs. Charity Bukenya said “Our effort is a drop in the ocean that supports what several other generous organizations are doing to make conscious and deliberate steps towards fulfilling the sustainable development goal #3 which is about ensuring good health and wellbeing and we at Airtel know that together we can make an impact in the lives of Ugandan’s through such camps,” she commented, pledging to continue reaching out to communities in Uganda.