By Norbert Mao
More than 1,000 people have attended the first day of the free Physicians Medical Camp at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, with over 40 specialist doctors providing services.
The two-day camp, running from Friday 21st to Saturday 22nd August, is organised by the Association of Physicians of Uganda in partnership with Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, Makerere University, the Ministry of Health and other partners.
Speaking to Mega FM, the President of the Association of Physicians of Uganda, Dr. Lydia Nakiyingi, said the camp is the first of its kind organised by the association and is aimed at taking specialised medical services closer to communities.
Dr. Nakiyingi said Uganda has more than 600 physicians serving a population of over 46 million people, creating a significant gap in access to specialist care stating the camp has brought together specialists in cardiology, kidney diseases, lung diseases, blood disorders, skin conditions and endocrine diseases, among others.
President of the Association of Physicians of Uganda said, the association is also using the camp to train local clinicians on the management of common conditions, so that patients can continue receiving appropriate care even after the specialists leave.
Meanwhile, Dr. Apiyo Paska, Consultant Internal Medicine Physician at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital and a member of the organising team, said the turnout has been overwhelming saying the organisers had targeted to reach about 1,000 people, with the high turnout demonstrating the community’s need for specialist medical care.
Apiyo said the services being offered to the patients include free medical screening, health education and specialist reviews for various internal medicine conditions.
