Speaker Anita Among Affirms Government’s Commitment to Public Healthcare

Story by Uziah Tusaasire

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has reaffirmed the government’s dedication to enhancing public healthcare to improve service delivery across the country.

Speaking on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at the official launch of a medical camp at Bukedea Comprehensive School, Among emphasized the importance of accessible health services. The event was organized by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Bukedea District Local Government and the Anita Foundation.

“I thank God that today our dream has come true,” said Among. “As Parliament, we shall support the Ministry of Health to improve healthcare. I love issues of health, and I am happy we have brought health services nearer to the people. This has proved to be a people-centred health sector.”

Recently, Among inaugurated Bukedea Teaching Hospital, a non-profit facility aimed at complementing government health services by offering affordable care. She highlighted the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government’s commitment to health matters, including recruiting specialized professionals, improving medical workers’ welfare, and ensuring sufficient medical supplies.

“As leaders, we are called to support government efforts and serve humanity. So, let us continue to serve communities,” Among urged.

Dr. Ben Watmon, Chairperson of the health camp organizing committee and Director of Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, commended the Speaker for her initiative. “In most cases, health workers wait for patients in health facilities, and many patients can’t reach them. But you [Speaker] have brought the services closer, bridging this gap,” he said.

One beneficiary, Juliet Akayo from Magoro sub-county, Katakwi District, shared her gratitude for the camp. Diagnosed with cervical cancer in Soroti but unable to afford treatment in Kampala, Akayo said, “This is a chance for me to meet doctors from the Uganda Cancer Institute and get treatment at no cost.”

The week-long health camp, running until Friday, January 25, 2025, has drawn specialists from leading health institutions

Speaker Anita Among has assured the public of government’s commitment to prioritising public healthcare in a bid to enhance service delivery.

Among was speaking on Tuesday, 21 January 2025 during the official launch of a medical camp at Bukedea Comprehensive School organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Bukedea District Local Government and the Anita Foundation.
“I thank God that today our dream has come true… As Parliament, we shall support the Ministry of Health to improve healthcare. I love issues of health and I am happy we have brought health services nearer to the people and it has proved to be a people-centred health sector,” Among said.

Recently, Speaker Among opened Bukedea Teaching Hospital, a non-profit health facility which complements government by offering health services at a subsidised cost.

Among said the NRM government has over the recent years taken health matters very seriously and continues to recruit more specialised health professionals, improve medics’ welfare and ensure adequate medical supplies.
“As leaders, we are called to support government efforts and serve humanity. So, let us continue to serve communities,” she said.

Dr. Ben Watmon, the Chairperson of the health camp organising committee and also director, Soroti Regional Referral Hospital commended the Speaker for bringing health services closer to the people.
“In most cases, health workers wait for patients in health facilities and in many cases, the patients can’t reach them, but you [Speaker] have brought the services closer and this bridges the gap,” Dr. Watmon said.

Juliet Akayo, who travelled from Magoro sub-county in Katakwi District, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in Soroti but could not afford treatment in Kampala.
“This is a chance for me to meet doctors from the Uganda Cancer Institute and get treatment at no cost,” she said.

The health camp which runs up to Friday, 25 January 2025 has attracted health specialists from different institutions.
The health institutions represented are, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda Heart Institute (UHI), Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), Uganda Blood Transfusion Services and Uganda Red Cross Society. The others are, Uganda AIDS Commission, and Kiruddu, Kawempe, Mbale and Soroti hospitals.

Members of Parliament on the Committee on Health led by their Chairperson, Hon. Dr. Joseph Ruyonga also attended the health camp.

Written by Editor