Buikwe Medical Camp
Clarke International University (CIU) is privileged to have partnered with MOBIKLINIC -Uganda, a health organization that aims at increasing access to healthcare services in rural areas. Other partners were Tec. Uganda and Malongwe health center. The medical camp was held on the 22nd. 02. 2020 at the Catholic church field in Bulyasi, Kinoni village, Najjembe division, 5km away from the nearest health facility. Farming is the main source of livelihood for people in Kinoni village. CIU team was led by Ms. Komuhangi Alimah and was directly involved in diagnosing and treating medical conditions, dispensing and health education.
From a total of over 200 patients that turned up for the medical camp, 193 prescriptions were identified randomly and analyzed. Results revealed that 68.4% (132/193) of the patients were female. The highest proportion of 42.5% (82/193) of the patients was below the age of 18 years, followed by 22.3% (43/193) that were above 50 years. Patients that turned up presented with the following conditions: upper respiratory tract infections (16.5%), malaria (7.8%), urinary tract infections (7.8%), peptic ulcer disease (7.3%), fungal infections (3.6%), pelvic inflammatory disease (2.6%), and Pneumonia (2.6%). Orthopedic conditions were common among patients over 50 years: 3.6% (7/193) mainly osteoarthritis, myalgia and Gout. Among the referrals made were a total of 4.7% (9/193) that presented with signs and symptoms of diabetes and hypertension, 2.1% (4/193) that presented with signs of depression, 1case of incomplete abortion, 1 case of scrotal hernia, 2 cases with HIV/AIDS, 1 case with Hepatitis B virus, 1 case with mastitis and 2 cases of pregnancy to continue attending ANC services at the nearest health facility.
Face to face interviews with 10 patients that were conveniently sampled was conducted. The purpose of the interview was to attain their perception regarding the services offered. Overall, patients were satisfied with the services offered, especially the laboratory services and medication. They also noted that were no delays, they never had to wait for long hours before getting the service. However, there was a concern regarding the time the medical camp closed. Patients were still coming in for healthcare services but they were not able to register.
“I am very grateful for the time you took off to travel to our village to take care of our health needs. I have not been feeling well for the past 4 days, when I heard that you people are coming over, I was delighted. I got all the drugs prescribed, I even came with my wife and children and they got medicines. We are very happy. We hope you continue with this kind of initiative. I request next time you start early so that by the time you leave all patients are seen,” (BKN1) One of the patients reported.
Since the majority of the health concerns in Kinoni village are communicable diseases, it poses an opportunity for health initiatives to focus on general hygiene, vaccination, safer sex practices, and nutrition while offering health education. In addition, a community like Kinoni with a population structure where the majority are unproductive would benefit from initiatives that strive to bring healthcare services closer to the people. In that regard, CIU pledges to continuously create a difference in the health of the population through health education, research and community engagement.
Many thanks go to Mr. Andrew Ddembe of MOBIKLINIC-Uganda for granting CIU the opportunity to give back to society through community engagement. I thank CIU management, the Dean School of Public Health, the registrar, Mr. Lwanga Alex and the students from the Institute of Allied Health sciences for making the medical camp a success.
By Komuhangi Alimah
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