Over 200 Test Positive for Hypertension, Diabetes at Free Health Camp in Buhara

What the report says

More than 200 residents in Kabale District have tested positive for hypertension, diabetes and other health conditions during a two-day free medical camp at Buhara Health Centre III in Buhara Sub-county, according to Nile Post. The outreach is being run by Sino Minerals Investment Company Limited in partnership with the Kabale District Health Department and is aimed at serving more than 1,000 people with screening, diagnosis and treatment.

The camp is offering services that include blood pressure checks and management, antenatal care, Hepatitis B testing and immunisation, STI testing, pregnancy testing, dental services, eye and ear, nose and throat care, cervical cancer screening and voluntary blood donation. Assistant District Health Officer Paddy Mwesigye said the positive cases found so far were mainly non-communicable diseases, especially hypertension and diabetes, while some participants were diagnosed with ulcers.

Mwesigye said the results were concerning and linked the high numbers in part to diet and ageing. He also said such health camps are important because some of the equipment needed for screening is not available at Buhara Health Centre III, making outreach services a practical way to widen access to care.

Sino Minerals deputy operations manager Brian Munanura said the camp is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility work. He added that people diagnosed during the outreach will receive free medication, which should reduce the cost of treatment for local residents and help more people understand and manage common illnesses.