The UPDF medical team has treated thousands of patients at Kitgum General Hospital as a reward for the latter’s positive participation in eliminating negative forces in the Acholi sub-region as Tarehe Sita celebrations get closer.
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).
Col Dr 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 mobilization skills that have ensured that the Acholi people get free treatment from Government. “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.
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 clearly signifies the trust and confidence the 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, requested Government to elevate Kitgum Hospital to a regional referral hospital because of the large number of patients from Eastern Acholi region, settlement camps and 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 Engineers Brigade is renovating the HIV/AIDS clinic at the same hospital.
Such annual and rotational civil-military activities aim at strengthening th
e strategic relationship UPDF has with its people since it is premised on a pro-people ideology.