Aga Khan hospital medical camp focuses on cancer, heart issues
Martha Osiro (2ndR), centre manager for Aga Khan University Hospital and Paul Mwirigi (R), head marketing of Knight Frank Uganda, during the launch of the annual Acacia Mall family medical camp on August 6. courtesy photo.
According to the World Health Organisation, cardiovascular disease causes more than 17 million deaths worldwide each year. As many as 16,000 children are born in Uganda every year with congenital heart abnormalities and 50 per cent of these require corrective surgeries yet the Uganda Heart Institute can only perform 1,000 operations annually.
These statistics show that cancer and heart related problems are on the rise, despite the fact that most of these diseases are treatable and preventable.
It is against this background that the Aga Khan University Hospital is coming up to sensitise the public and help them screen for various diseases for a better life.
According to Martha Osiro, the Centre Manager Aga Khan University Hospital, heart problems and cancers are claiming many lives today and in spite of them being curable, many find out when it is too late.
“We are reaching out to Ugandans to adopt the culture of medical checkups and tests and also sensitise them on how vital screening is to one’s life. Many of these diseases once detected early, can easily and cheaply be treated. The uniqueness of this camp lies in its comprehensive approach where health promotion and prevention are given equal importance while curative care is administered,” says Osiro.
According to Dr Noleb Mugisha, the head Comprehensive Community Cancer Programme at Uganda Cancer Institute in Mulago hospital, prostate cancer is the commonest cancer among men in Uganda with 40 in 100,000 men suffering from the cancer which is one of highest rates observed in Africa.
Dr Mugisha adds that cervical and breast cancers are the leading causes of deaths among women in Uganda but men should also be on the lookout because they can also suffer from breast cancer.
“Breast cancer usually spreads faster to other body parts in men than women because their breasts have a smaller surface area,” says Dr Mugisha.
“This year’s Acacia Mall Family Medical Camp will be held at Acacia Mall on the second floor rooftop between August 21 and 23, starting at 8am and running up to 5pm. Acacia Mall warmly welcomes the general public to come and share this life changing experience,” says Paul Mwirigi, the head marketing of Knight Frank Uganda.
