Government urged to partner with civil society organizations to fight against cancer
UNCDA officials from Arua checking Residents' blood Pressure during their Campaign in Arua district over the weekend. Photo by Joseph Kiggundu
ARUA
Arua residents have implored government to join civil society organizations in sensitizing Ugandans against cancer which is one of the most costly and dangerous globally.
Mr Alex Atiku, the Uganda Non Communicable Diseases Alliance (UNCDA) chairman Arua district, said Ugandans will not stop smoking and over drinking if government fails to join the cause of sensitizing Ugandans about cancers.
“Calling the government to join the cause it doesn’t mean we need them to deploy police to arrest whoever smokes on street or drinks alcohol but need it to put laws controlling smoking and beer and even provide cancer, Diabetes and high blood pressure equipment in hospitals. This will show that government cares about its people” said Atiku.
He made the remarks during the Non communicable diseases (NCDs) campaign in Arua District over the weekend.
UNCDA District coordinator Ms Molly Grace Apio said Research has shown that cancer, Diabetes and high blood pressure have increased in Uganda, East Africa and worldwide.
“Cancer is real and killing us silently and that’s why today we’re here to sensitize you about it and the other non-communicable diseases,” she said.
She said the campaign has helped many people in Arua to know their status as far as NCDs are concerned.
“Today over 60 patients have been sent to hospital for medication. We got to know their status and established that they needed immediate medical attention,” She added.
UNCDA also donated a Blood Pressure machine and asked the government to do more in the fight against cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure, among others.
Ms. Josephine Ejang senior diabetic educator said over 700 people turned up for the exercise for the check up after learning that their friends were referred to hospital for medication.
