Field visit to Kamukira health centre iv Kabale reveals how NCDs patients are embracing the patients support groups initiative to curb drug stock outs.

By Darlington Mabonga  

Kabale: The World Diabetes Foundation [WDF] funded Diabetes and hypertension project in Uganda whose funds are channelled through WHO and implemented by the ministry of health through district local governments has registered positive impacts among the four selected beneficiary districts.

The districts include Sembabule, Koboko, Lira and Kabale respectively being piloted

among health centre iii and iv with each district covering 10 health centres.

A field visit by our reporter to Kabale district indicated that the euros 1.28m project had been appreciated by the host communities especially the patients who are receiving timely services and critical information related to NCDs.

Dr. Mbabazi during an interview

Individual patients told this website that they are now happy that having been sensitised by the respective medical staff about the harmful effects that lead to NCDS they have been able to appreciate and embrace the medical guidelines offered to them. 

The guidelines include adherence to treatment, cherising good eating habits, avoiding habits capable of exposing them to dangerous lifestyles among others.

Tumuhigwe Sylvia aged 40 a resident of Nyakyaro southern Mwanjari in Kabale

municipality is one among the over 13,000 patients that visit the Kamukira health centre iv in Kabale district annually seeking medical services.

Sylvia who claims to be a diabetes patient says she had been suffering for a time without hope of recovery but when her friend who visited Kamukira health centre last year told her about the new project she promptly made her first visit which gave her new lease of life.

The facility exposed her to new friends , acess to professional counselling services and essential drugs which has improved her life.

She told this reporter during a site visit 29th April 2026 at the facility that they are happy diabetes and hypertension treatment services have drastically improved as they can now access timely clinical services at the recently established  chronic care clinic [CCC] center.

 Kyomuhendo Jacklline aged 47 resident of Lwagana Karubanda ward northern division Kabale municipality testified that she is currently eceiving medical care services from the facility on time and promptly

She said the sensitization campaigns by the health center in charge Dr Mbabazi Peter encouraging them to form the inclusive NCD patients support group enabled them make substantial monthly cash collections ranging between 2000/= to 10 000/= to help cover the drug stock outs challenges for their 400 members.

services to their Kamukira health centre iv a development which has given hope to the largely poor patients

Dr Mbabazi in his exclusive interview and

flanked by his chronic care clinical officer Agaba Elijah said they are satisfied with the government integration of health care services program which now compels them to carryout a mandatory screening services for NCDS to all adult visitors to the facility such that new identified medical challenges can be handled concurrently.

He expressed concern about the shortage of clinical operations spaces given the increased numbers of visiting patients as well as the shortfall of medical staff currently standing at only 49 out of the official new structure staffing of 123.

He called on the government to strengthen the drugs and sundries support to cover the surging numbers of patients.

He said their catchment population area is 4 000 patients per month with an approximate annual visits of between 12,000 and 13,000 visitors.

He said the development should be accompanied with corresponding medical numbers and drug supplies respectively for a win win situation for all the stakeholders.