Tarehe Sita: Thousands treated at UPDF's free medical camp in Kitgum
The UPDF medical team has treated thousands of patients at Kitgum General Hospital as part of the week long activities leading to Tarehe Sita celebrations in Northern Uganda
The UPDF medical team engaged in Safe Male Circumcision (SMC), general medicine, free eye and dental services and also reached-out to the Out Patient Department (OPD).
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Col Dr. Joseph Asea, the leader of the UPDF medical team in Kitgum district, expressed gratitude for the massive turn-up of patients at the hospital and commended leaders in Acholi sub-region for their mobilisation skills that have ensured that the Acholi people attend the medical camp.
"UPDF remains a peoples' army in all its missions.That is why we are treating patients in Acholi sub-region aside from defending the sovereignty of the nation," said Col Dr Asea.
A UPDF officer checking on a disabled patient at Kitgum General hospital
The Deputy Medical Superintendent of Kitgum General Hospital, Dr Peter Omayo, commended UPDF for giving back to the population during such peaceful times.
He noted that the massive turn-up of patients was a clear manifestation of the trust and confidence that locals have in both government and UPDF.
"Together with the army, we can achieve more and beyond this, we shall continue being together with the UPDF," he said.
He, however asked government to elevate Kitgum Hospital to a regional referral hospital because of the large number of patients from the region, from settlement camps and from neighbouring South Sudan.
“Increasing staffing and funding to transform to a 246 bed capacity hospital from the original 100 will save more lives now that the region is peaceful," noted Dr Omayo.
Meanwhile, the UPDF Engineering Brigade also renovated the HIV/AIDS clinic at the same hospital.
Such annual and rotational civil military activities are aimed at strengthening the strategic relationship between the locals and the UPDF.
