Rotary Club of Kampala South donates vital medical equipment to Ugandan health facilities

UGANDA—The Rotary Club of Kampala South has donated medical equipment worth UGX 444 million (US$116,817.51) to five health facilities across the country in a bid to supplement government efforts in delivering quality healthcare services.

The donations will benefit Kikandwa Health Centre III in Kayunga district, Kamuganguzi Health Centre III in Kabale district, Bushikori Health Centre III in Bushikori in Mbale district, Bukalagi Health Centre III in Kabulasoke Gomba, and Hope Medical Centre III Busesa in Iganga district, according to a local daily, Newvision.

The equipment includes delivery beds, portable ultrasound scans, assorted medicines, dental beds, mama kits, and blankets for children.

Others are weighing scales, computers, an iPad, training for health facility staff, and a maternal child health software, among others.

This information was provided by Innocent Agaba, the club’s projects director, at the handover of the equipment at Kikandwa Health Center III Mukono area on January 6.

Agaba added that 10 years ago, the club, in collaboration with partners such as the Rotary Club of Des Moines A.M. in the United States and Shining City, launched a project called Maternal and Child Health, which is currently being implemented in five health centers.

He emphasized that one of the project’s goals was to eliminate maternal and infant fatalities in the country and improve health services, assuring a healthy, productive population that can contribute to the country’s rapid and stable development.

Under the same MCH project, three blocks at the institution, including the general ward, the maternity ward, and the dental clinic, were built.

Dr. Julius Turinawe, in charge of Kikandwa Health Centre III, stated at the equipment handover that it is critical for every mother to have at least two scans done every pregnancy, one in the first trimester and the other in the third trimester.

The doctor stated that the facility ran without a scan; they would receive mothers in labor but had never performed a scan.

He acknowledged that delivering a mother without knowing how the baby is in the womb has always been risky, but the scan will allow them to identify challenges such as the baby having a double cord around their neck, breach representation, and other cases, and refer mothers in time to save their lives.

Turinawe added that the donated scan will assist them in screening mothers when they come in for antenatal care and advising them on where to deliver based on how their pregnancies present, allowing doctors and mothers to better plan for deliveries.

The president of the Rotary Club of Des Moines A M, Emily Adreon, revealed that she first visited Uganda in 2012 as part of a sustainable development program and worked in the Kikandwa community.

Adreon stated that students, working with community residents, assessed the communities’ needs and, upon their return to the United States, organized funding to accomplish projects through Rotary in Uganda and the United States.

She stated that the community services are in accordance with the Rotary International theme for 2024, which is “Bring Hope to the World.” Adreon, who is leading a group of American philanthropists, is optimistic that, with partners like the Church of Uganda on board, the services will be sustained to help more people.

Hundreds of people from roughly 10 communities, including Ndesse, Kikandwa, and Namalili, benefited from a pool of health services during the handover ceremony.

Antenatal, immunization, family planning, and scan services were among the maternal and child health services provided.

Other services include mental health, dental examinations and treatment, and general medical checkups such as HIV/AIDS.