Ndagala said only 40 patients had been referred to Mulago National Referral Hospital by Wednesday because their conditions required specialised treatment that could not be handled at the participating facilities.
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More than 3,000 people across Buganda have benefited from free surgical procedures in health camps organised by the Kabaka Foundation in partnership with the Association of Surgeons of Uganda.
The camps, which were conducted at 20 hospitals across Buganda, provided free surgical services to people who could otherwise have struggled to afford specialised medical care.
According to Kaggwa Ndagala, the Executive Director of the Kabaka Foundation, 2,000 people had undergone surgery by Wednesday, with the health camps continuing in different parts of Buganda until Friday.
The final number of beneficiaries therefore rose to more than 3,000 as the camps continued beyond the Wednesday figure.
Ndagala said only 40 patients had been referred to Mulago National Referral Hospital by Wednesday because their conditions required specialised treatment that could not be handled at the participating facilities.
“We have been running similar camps in 20 different hospitals in Buganda, which officially started on Monday. By the close of Wednesday, records showed that 2,000 people had undergone surgical procedures. We had only referred 40 cases to Mulago National Referral Hospital whose conditions required specialised care,” Ndagala said.
In Buvuma District, at least 165 people underwent free surgical procedures during a five-day health camp that started on Monday and ended on Friday.
The Buvuma camp also provided screening and treatment to more than 600 residents with medical conditions that did not require surgery.
Ndagala said the health camps were part of the Kabaka Foundation’s efforts to improve access to specialised healthcare among communities in Buganda, particularly those who face financial and geographical barriers to medical services.
He said healthcare remains one of the foundation’s key areas of focus, in line with the Kabaka’s commitment to improving the welfare of his subjects.
The Kabaka’s message to the people of Buvuma was delivered by the retired Bishop of West Buganda, Bishop Henry Katumba Tamale.
In the message, the Kabaka urged residents to remain committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS, a campaign he launched among his subjects in the islands in 2017.
Bishop Katumba also cautioned patients who received medicines during the camp against misusing or sharing their prescribed medication.
He urged them to complete their prescribed doses, saying taking medicines as directed was important for effective treatment and recovery.
Representing the Central Government, State Minister for Fisheries and Buvuma Islands MP Robert Migadde Ndugwa commended the Kabaka Foundation and the Association of Surgeons of Uganda for bringing specialised medical services closer to communities in the islands.
Migadde also revealed that plans were being finalised to acquire a water-based hospital to serve communities in Buvuma and Kalangala.
He said the proposed facility would be equipped with beds and provide medical services while moving on water to reach communities across the islands.
Migadde further cautioned residents against self-medication, urging them to seek medical attention and undergo proper examination by qualified health professionals before taking medicines.
Buvuma District Chairperson Matia Nixon Ocheng and the Kabaka’s representative in Buvuma County, Mbuubi Michael Mboowa, commended the Kabaka for his continued concern for the welfare of people in the islands.
They said the health camp was among several initiatives undertaken through the Kabaka’s leadership to improve access to healthcare services in Buvuma.