“Many of the patients we attended to are suffering from simple diseases that could easily be treated. However, because of poverty and the long distances to health facilities, many do not receive the necessary treatment in time, and some end up losing their lives,” Mirembe said.
By Fred Muzaale
A free medical camp organised by Sonrise Hospital in Bugiri Village, Kangulumira Sub-county, Kayunga District, has highlighted the devastating impact of poverty on access to healthcare, with organisers warning that many impoverished Ugandans are dying from illnesses that are easily treatable.
The one-day outreach, held on Wednesday, attracted an overwhelming turnout of more than 2,000 residents who received free medical consultations, diagnosis, treatment, as well as food and refreshments.
The camp was organised by Sonrise Hospital, a newly built state-of-the-art private health facility established by Damalie Mirembe with financial support from Faith of Child Foundation and other partners from the United Kingdom and Canada.
Speaking after the exercise, the hospital’s Country Director, Damalie Mirembe, said the majority of patients were diagnosed and treated for common illnesses such as malaria, diabetes and hypertension. The camp also offered prostate cancer screening for men, with preliminary results indicating a high prevalence of the disease among elderly men.
“Many of the patients we attended to are suffering from simple diseases that could easily be treated. However, because of poverty and the long distances to health facilities, many do not receive the necessary treatment in time, and some end up losing their lives,” Mirembe said.
She noted that the findings from the medical camp underscored the urgent need to improve access to affordable healthcare services in rural communities.
Mirembe said that despite being a modern private hospital, Sonrise Hospital would provide specialised medical services at affordable rates to ensure that quality healthcare remains accessible to ordinary Ugandans.
“The health facility offers specialised treatment closer to the people and at an affordable cost,” she said, adding that the hospital also has private rooms for patients seeking greater privacy and premium services.
Sonrise Hospital is scheduled to be officially commissioned on August 3, marking the beginning of full operations.
The Ntenjeru South Member of Parliament, Fred Baseke, commended Mirembe for establishing the facility, describing it as a major boost to healthcare delivery in the region.
He said the hospital would spare residents the burden of travelling long distances in search of specialised medical care, while improving access to life-saving treatment for thousands of people in Kayunga and neighbouring districts.
Local leaders and residents welcomed the initiative, expressing hope that the hospital would help bridge the healthcare gap in the area and reduce preventable deaths caused by delayed treatment and limited access to medical services.
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