ROTARY HEALTH CAMP COMMENCES IN GULU
During the two-day Medical camp, about 200 people are expected to be assessed.
By Christopher Nyeko
GULU: The Rotary Club of Gulu City, in partnership with Jowa Medical Centre and Maternity Home in Bardege Layibi Division in Gulu City, has today commenced a free two-day health camp.
During the two-day health camp, services such as blood pressure checkups, health education, cervical cancer screening, and Malaria testing for children aged 0–5 years and pregnant women are offered freely.
During the two-day Medical camp, about 200 people are expected to be assessed.
Dr. Jimmy Opee, a gynecologist and obstetrician at Jowa Medical Centre and Maternity Home, told this publication that they opt to partner with the Rotary Club of Gulu City due to the high prevalence of cervical cancer among women in Northern Uganda.
Dr. Opee notes that cervical cancer prevalence stands at 35.7 percent nationally, while in Northern Uganda, it stands at 49.4 percent, something he says is absurd and needs a proactive approach to address it.
According to Opee, cervical cancer is the leading cause of mortality among women; he therefore urged men to always be hygienic and refrain from having multiple sexual partners to reduce the risk of their sexual partners contracting cervical cancer.
Doctors attribute the major cause of cervical cancer to the human papillomavirus (HPV).
HPV is a common group of viruses. They do not cause any problems in most people, but some types can cause genital warts or cancer in males.
Out of the seven people who were assessed during press time, one was found positive for cervical cancer.
Ajok Beatrice, 28, a resident of Lacor in Bardege-Layibi division who was today screened for cervical cancer, appreciated the Rotary Club of Gulu City and Jowa Medical Centre and Maternity Home for organizing this free health camp.
She, however, urged the government to decentralize cervical cancer screening into the community so that a larger number of women are screened.
The official opening of the two-day health camp is expected to happen tomorrow, Friday, by David Labeja, president of the Rotary Club of Gulu City.
Do you have a story about your community or an opinion to share with us? Email us at theugreports@gmail.com.
