Educate us about cancer, diabetes, locals tell govt
Mr Moses Mukundane, the SCOHA director of programmes, speaks to Kashari County residents at Bwizibwera Health Centre IV at the weekend. PHOTO BY RAJAB MUKOMBOZI
Mbarara. Mbarara District residents have blamed the increasing spread of non-communicable diseases on lack of education by government.
The concern was raised at the weekend during a cervical cancer camp facilitated by Spring Community Health Access (SCOHA) at Bwizibwera Health Centre IV in Kashaari County.
SCOHA is an NGO that seeks to improve quality of healthcare among communities.
“We hear some diseases such as cancer and diabetes can be avoided but we don’t have information on how to guard against them. There is no body coming up to educate us,” said Ms Evelyn Rwamwojo, a resident.
Ms Marble Twongirwe, another resident, said instead of spending money on stocking drugs, government should instead increase funding for health education.
Mr Moses Mukundane, the SCOHA director of programmes, acknowledged that awareness in communities on health issues is inadequate yet it should be a primary focus for government and other stakeholders.
“We are engaging health workers to make sure they embrace an integrated health outreach programme. First, to educate the communities on basic health issues such as family planning, nutrition, anti and post-natal care,” said Mr Mukundane.
The district health educator, Mr Mildard Kazooba Lubega, attributed lack of health education to lack of manpower and low morale among health workers due to poor pay.
“Imagine the whole of Mbarara; 11 sub-counties and six divisions, I am the only health educator yet every health centre IV should having an assistant health educator,” Mr Kazooba said.
Bigger picture
The Uganda National Household Survey Report 2009/2010 shows that non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and cancer, are claiming many Ugandans at an increasing rate.
