Rotary International has injected over 350 million Shillings to provide vital signs equipment to health centers in four districts.
Some of the equipment includes a stethoscope, digital Blood Pressure machine, glucometer, and its strips, pulse oximeter, height rods, and infrared red thermometers among others.
Doctor Margaret Okello the Project Coordinator from the Rotary Club of Kampala Naguru says that although it is important to diagnose the patients before administering treatment, several health workers were not doing so over a lack of vital equipment.
Okello adds that a survey by the club indicated that only 3% of patients are currently having vital signs taken which means that many preventable diseases go unnoticed.
Okello says that as a result, the Rotary Club of Kampala Naguru in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Rancho Santa Fe based in the United States of America secured a global grant worth $91,500 (about 352 million shillings) from Rotary International to provide the necessary vital signs equipment.
Okello says that in the project that is implemented together with Bulamu Healthcare a Non-Governmental Organization, about 141 health centers in four districts which include Luwero, Isingiro, Amuru, and Gulu will benefit from the equipment.
Christine Nakamanya the Secretary of Luwero District says that due to lack of equipment, some health workers diagnose patients’ through only observations without scientifically taking measurements which is not effective.
On Monday, Rotary District 9213 Governor Mike Kennedy Sebalu handed over a batch of vital signs equipment worth 60 million equipment to Luwero district as part of the project.
The district will also receive a training package worth 21 million shillings to ensure that the health workers use equipment appropriately.
Sebalu asked Luwero district leadership to oversee the equipment to ensure they are used to meet the objectives.
Sebalu also noted that each year, Rotary through global grants injects over four million dollars into various service projects ranging from health, education, economic empowerment, and environment among others so as to improve the lives of Ugandans.
Martin Paul Yiga the Luwero District Deputy Chief Administrative Officer welcomed the donation of equipment saying the government had not provided enough which had affected health services.
Yiga added that lack of proper diagnosis especially in lower health centers accounts for an increment in disease occurrences.
At least 39 health facilities in Luwero will benefit from the donation.
According to Luwero district health report for 2021/22, at least 9,914 patients suffer from hypertension, and 3,633 battle from diabetes mellitus.
The two diseases killed at least 19 people within the financial year.URN
