Rotarians from various clubs in and around Kampala have come together to raise funds for the completion of the Gwembuzi Health Centre IV in Luuka district. The initiative aims to improve maternal health in the area by providing a nearby health facility.
The fundraising event took place at Gurvnor Club in Kampala and saw participation from over 46 different Rotary Clubs. The Muyenga Tank Hill Rotary Club took the lead in fundraising and pledged full support for the project’s completion.
Ken Mugisha, a former District Governor who led the fundraising effort, commended Rotarians for their selfless commitment to serving the less privileged. He highlighted the long-standing challenges faced by expectant mothers in Gwembuzi and other remote villages due to the lack of nearby health centers.
Mugisha emphasized the importance of such facilities for the well-being of mothers and newborns, asserting it as their constitutional right. The construction of the Gwembuzi Health Centre began in 2021, but substantial work remains to be done.
David Balondemu, the chairman of the Kampala District Land Board, expressed optimism about the project’s completion with the support of Rotarians and other well-wishers.
Rotarian Francisco Semwaga, the District Governor, announced that such fundraising events would become an annual tradition to aid the less fortunate members of society.
According to a 2023 report from the World Health Organization (WHO), poor maternal health and malnutrition contribute to a high number of premature births, with one in ten babies born prematurely worldwide, which has significant impacts on health and survival. Prematurity is a leading cause of early childhood mortality, emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen care for premature infants and focus on prevention, particularly in the areas of maternal health and nutrition.
