Hapa Medical Centre has extended free healthcare services to residents of Namuwongo in Kampala through a medical camp aimed at improving access to essential health services and encouraging early detection of diseases.
The medical camp offered residents a range of free services, including eye examinations and glasses, dental check-ups and tooth extractions, cancer screening and family planning services.
Speaking during the exercise, Kampala Lord Mayor Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo applauded Hapa Uganda for organising the outreach, urging residents to take advantage of the opportunity to undergo medical check-ups.
Balimwezo also raised concern over the increasing number of new HIV infections, particularly among young people, calling for responsible sexual behaviour and regular health screening.
He cited findings indicating that 207 new HIV-positive cases were being recorded every week, warning young people against engaging in risky sexual practices.
“Young people, we need to get prepared. Investigations were done, and there were new HIV positives every week of 207 people. So I encourage you to take care. If possible, you can abstain until you get married,” Balimwezo said.
He further encouraged residents to seek medical attention for conditions such as high blood pressure and cancer, which can remain undetected until they become serious.
The Lord Mayor also cautioned boda boda riders and passengers against ignoring road safety measures, particularly the use of helmets, noting that many road accidents could result in serious head injuries.
He described a healthy community as an important foundation for development and urged residents to embrace routine medical examinations.
“A healthy community is a supporting community. So I am encouraging you all to go for check-ups,” he said.
Hapa Uganda founder and Director, Dr John Paul Lwanyaaga, said the medical camp was part of the organisation’s community outreach initiatives aimed at giving back to the people of Namuwongo.
Lwanyaaga said the facility, located opposite Namuwongo Market, had mobilised doctors from different specialties to provide free medical services to residents.
“We are here today giving back to the community as one of our activities at Hapa Medical Centre. Today we are giving medical services freely, including eye check-ups and free glasses, dental checks and tooth extractions, cancer check-ups and family planning services,” Lwanyaaga said.
He added that the initiative had been made possible through support from several sponsors and partners who joined hands with the medical centre to improve community health.
Some residents who benefited from the services expressed gratitude, saying the camp had helped them access medical attention they would otherwise have struggled to afford.
Kwagala Christine, a Namuwongo resident, said she was particularly grateful for the free dental treatment and scanning services she received during the exercise.
“I am really very happy about this camp because it has helped us. We have benefited and received free services. I came here for dental services, they removed my teeth, and I also went for scanning freely,” she said.
She thanked Hapa Medical Centre and Rotary for supporting the initiative, urging them to continue organising similar activities to benefit more residents.
The medical camp is part of efforts by Hapa Uganda and its partners to bring essential healthcare services closer to communities while promoting preventive healthcare and early disease detection.
