The Health Camp Kampala

The Health Camp Kampala event organized by Apple Concepts in partnership with UAP, FUFA, KCCA among others. This charity event “Health Camp Kampala” is scheduled for August 27^th to 29^th 2015 at Nakawa UAP office park.

The major goal of this initiative is to help improve the quality of life in Uganda through sensitizing the community about different health aspects Several partners including Red Cross Society, Marie Stopes Uganda, Case Health Case Medcare, PathFinder, Aga Khan University Hospital, Victoria University Healthcare, Aids Information Centre to mention but a few have partnered with us to offer free body checkups and health services like Cancer screening, Typhoid tests, Tests for Hepatitis, HIV Canceling and Testing, Pressure checkup, Skin Care, Dental Care, Nutrition advice, Eye Care, Family planning services and other health services and information.

Background;

Whereas there have been a few achievements towards the MDG’s goals, Uganda’s progress has been quite slow. Despite having led the world in combating HIV/Aids about two decades ago, the HIV/Aids prevalence among the 15-49 year olds has increased from 6.4 per cent to 7.3 per cent between 2004 and 2011. 

It is estimated that 353 new infections occur daily and 60,000 Ugandans die from HIV/Aids annually.

It is also said Uganda’s maternal mortality ratio is among the highest in the world estimated at 438 per 100,000 live births. Child mortality (death before the age of five years) occurs in 90 of every 1000 live births.

 In the recent years, the country has and is experiencing an increase in the death rates due to cardiovascular diseases and cancers. According to WHO (2014) NCD’s account for 27^% of total deaths registered.

 This is worsened by the crippling state of health facilities in the country and the low financing by the government for health initiatives. 

  

The Need;

 With the above figures into consideration, there is need to increase access to healthcare services at the grass roots by increasing accessibility of hospitals and clinics to the population, finding ways of financing health better than it currently is. There is effort by the donor community and government to help improve the health indicators; however more effort is needed from the private sector and the public too.

Such partnerships permit the efficient and effective use of resources and reduced costs, increase the likelihood of sustainability, develop a stronger base of support by bringing in valuable knowledge and skills,  increases the scale and scope of activities, raises credibility and create understanding among different individuals and communities.

There is need to educate the public on their health needs and help them take charge of their health in order to prevent ill health. Life style changes have been one of the reasons attributed to the increasing number of NCD’s and this needs to be addressed through prevention mechanisms.