A health camp organized by the Lions Club of Kampala East in collaboration with volunteers and Lions Club International provided medical tests for over 300 slum residents in Naguru. The camp, held in Naguru’s 11 parish, aimed to test participants for diabetes, hypertension, and HIV.
Volunteers, including doctors, nurses, and counselors, set up tents for registration, testing, and counseling. At the registration point, health workers recorded participants’ height to determine their Body Mass Index (BMI). Participants received information on managing diabetes and other non-communicable diseases while waiting.
The testing process involved measuring blood pressure, providing counseling, and conducting diabetes and HIV tests. Severe cases were referred to the nearby China Naguru Friendship Hospital.
Hilda Mugenyi, vice-president of Lions Club of Kampala East, explained that the Lions Club’s global causes include raising awareness about diabetes, childhood cancers, and combating hunger. In Naguru, they discovered that many residents had limited knowledge of diabetes, one of the leading non-communicable diseases.
Mugenyi emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, as many people suffer unknowingly or lack the means to afford treatment.
Ronald Kakuba, the club secretary, noted that the number of cases, particularly among youth, had increased, challenging the notion that diabetes primarily afflicted the elderly. He highlighted the Lions Club’s commitment to serving communities and promoting environmental conservation and vision care.
Nusula Mbabazi, the woman councilor for Naguru 11, highlighted the residents’ low-income status, making access to medical treatment and proper nutrition difficult. She praised the medical camps for being life-saving and urged the Lions Club to extend their support.
Israel Manzi, the coordinator for the Diabetes Management Project, shared that the project received partial funding from Lions Club International. The health camps are organized in different communities where local Lions Clubs are based, with 57 clubs in Uganda’s District 411B. Over the past six months, they have conducted 16 activities to promote health and awareness.
Lions Club International, founded in 1917, is one of the largest humanitarian service organizations, with over 2,000 members in Uganda, actively engaged in various charitable initiatives.
