Buwampa is only 20kms from the large tourist town of Jinja, but takes over an hour to reach on the dirt road. This didn't discourage the medical team, Rotarians, supporters and patients from making the trip to attend the 3-day camp. The venue, the new Divine Mercy Primary School that opened in February, provided clean, private consultation space as well as classrooms for dental, pharmacy, laboratory, ultrasound, family planning, optometry and health education. 

 

The community enthusiastically embraced the outreach with 60 locals undertaking a one-week program just prior to the outreach to become VHT's, Village Health Attendants. A young medical team gave freely their time and compassion to treat clients. As well as Doctors, Clinical Officers and Nurses we had several specialists including a Dentist, Pharmacist, Radiologist, LAB technicians, Counsellors, Gynaecologists and an Ophthalmologist.

Malaria is prevalent and was the most seen condition followed by Upper Respiratory Tract Infection, Fungal infections, Lower Respiratory Tract Infection, Worms and Diarrhoea. We actively promoted family planning and were pleased with the uptake of various contraceptive methods including distributing 5,760 condoms. The Dentists extracted 250 teeth. We performed 98 Ultra sound examinations, 40 on expectant mothers and 10 on men. The laboratory did 1,258 tests including tests for Malaria, HIV and pregnancy.

 

Pure Joy Women Empowerment Uganda catered for the entire team, providing 3 meals and refreshments each day. Pure Joy also made 225 reusable sanitary kits which were distributed to women who participated in information sessions on women's health and family planning.

 

Overall, it was an amazing result and an incredibly rewarding experience for all involved. We enjoyed a night around the camp fire exchanging Ugandan and Aussie stories and teaching games unique to our different cultures. It was impossible not to be inspired by the team of medical people who left their jobs, families and weekend to participate in an outreach in a rural community that is not their own.

 

Special mention goes to Ugandan Project Managers Dr Gilbert Mugarura D.O.T Orthopaedics (Medical) and Okello Collins (Logistics), and Levert Wafula (Data Collection & Analysis) and Grace Anyeno (Welfare & Pure Joy) for their invaluable assistance. In fact, everyone that participated to serve a community in need deserve a huge vote of thanks.  

 

Download 2018 Medical Outreach Statistics

Buwagajjo Health Centre III