The public has been urged to stop stigmatizing people living with mental health conditions and instead support them in accessing timely medical care.
The call was made by Dr. Robert Mugarura, President of the Rotary Club of Kabale City, during a one-day medical camp held at Maziba Health Centre IV in Maziba Sub-county, Kabale District.
The outreach was organised in partnership with dfcu Bank and the Kabale District Health Office, bringing essential health services closer to communities.
Dr. Mugarura revealed that a total of 1,073 patients were attended to during the camp, with more than 100 presenting mental health conditions.
He noted that while the majority of cases involved musculoskeletal complications, dental issues, and eye problems, the number of mental health cases was significant and concerning.
He emphasized that mental illness should be treated like any other medical condition and can be effectively managed if patients are taken to health facilities early.
“Individuals who needed advanced care were referred to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital for specialized treatment,” Mugarura said.
The Assistant District Health Officer in charge of Maternal and Child Health, Paddy Mwesigye, commended the Rotary Club for complementing government efforts, particularly by providing services not readily available at lower-level health centres.
“Such medical camps should be made annual because they help us as a district to support our health centres and ensure patients access timely care,” Mwesigye said.
Residents who benefited from the camp expressed gratitude to the organisers for bringing services closer to them and appealed for more frequent outreaches to address persistent healthcare gaps in the area.
The outreach highlights the growing need to integrate mental health services into community healthcare and underscores the importance of breaking stigma to ensure affected individuals seek and receive appropriate treatment.
