Elderly care in Arua has received a boost following the handover of essential medical supplies and equipment worth Shs5 million by Joint Medical Store (JMS) to St. Joachim and Ann Elderly Support Mission.
The support, delivered through Arua Diocese Catholic Counselling Services, is aimed at improving access to healthcare for elderly persons who often face challenges in managing chronic illnesses.
Speaking during the handover, JMS Arua Branch Manager Sunday Nyerochan Ouma said the donation is part of the organisation’s commitment to ensuring vulnerable communities are not left behind in accessing quality healthcare.
“Healthcare goes beyond the supply chain. It is about people, communities, and ensuring that no one is left behind,” Ouma said.
He commended the mission for its continued dedication to caring for elderly persons, describing the work as critical in upholding dignity and compassion in society.
Ouma noted that many elderly people are increasingly affected by non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis, which require continuous care and access to medication.
“For many elderly individuals, access to such care remains limited, making their later years more difficult than they should be,” he said.
Beyond the one-off donation, JMS also committed to providing annual support of Shs5 million for the next five years, amounting to a total of Shs25 million, in a move aimed at strengthening long-term healthcare support for the facility.
He called on other organisations, development partners, and individuals to support initiatives that improve the wellbeing of elderly persons.
“A society that does not care for its elderly risks losing its moral compass,” Ouma added.
The St. Joachim and Ann Elderly Support Mission cares for vulnerable elderly persons in the West Nile region, many of whom depend on external support for medical care and daily needs.
The latest donation is expected to ease the burden on the facility and improve the quality of care provided to its beneficiaries.
