Dr. Steven Obbo (L) officially opens the Uganda Baati Clinic. Looking on is the CEO, Uganda Baati Limited, George Arodi (C)
Uganda’s Health Minister, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng has called on other companies to emulate Uganda Baati and partner with Government in extending health services to Ugandans.
Dr. Aceng made the remarks in a statement delivered by the Director – Mbale Regional Referral Hospital – Dr. Steven Obbo at the launch of Uganda Baati Medical Clinic in the eastern district of Tororo on Saturday.
The Ministry of Health acknowledges that Uganda’s healthcare may not be the world’s best but that “there is no denying it has been largely progressive.”
The Minister notes that the investment environment has permitted players like Uganda Baati to have an impact in how they respond to national health challenges.
“You witnessed how our own Ministry of Health fought tooth and nail to ensure the COVID pandemic was safely behind us and on this note, I would like to thank Uganda Baati for the contribution of UGX 100 million towards government efforts of fighting COVID. Now we face the challenge of Ebola, again we are not fazed, the statistics already represent our vigilance. We are grateful the government of Uganda has laid a favorable investment environment for these realities,” Dr. Aceng said in a statement delivered by Dr. Obbo.
The Minister added: “Tororo is a growing business hub, especially in the cement industry, Uganda Baati has a branch and has heavily invested here as well and so many other organizations. Uganda Baati Limited is already leveraging these positives. Special gratitude goes to Tororo’s main hospital and the district health officer along with other government officials and partners for laying the ground that has ensured health interventions kick started by big businesses have a soft landing like this. It’s good to serve our people on the background of existing structures. For that we are thankful.”
According to Dr. Aceng, Uganda Baati’s investment in Tororo “is a sign that this is the investor community and private sector at large are demonstrating social responsibility through interventions like these, they are implying, you don’t have to only make a killing in profit investing in Uganda, you can also give back to the people, the Ugandan people.”
“We are indebted to the government of Uganda for not only providing a conducive environment but also ensuring the health structures countrywide are in place to act as forerunners to big business corporate social responsibility, thank you Uganda Baati Limited for this gesture in Tororo, we are eternally grateful. The Government of Uganda applauds efforts from those who realize the need to stay mindful of the social realities in the places they operate. It pleases me therefore ladies and gentlemen, to flag off this worthy and thoughtful intervention here in Tororo District,” the Minister said.
Uganda Baati has previously held the Kampala clinic and set the agenda for “such social mindfulness.”
There are reports of credible services offered during the Kampala Clinic at a subsidized fee, among other free benefits.
Dr. Aceng implored other companies to consider partnering with the government.
“I hope other companies can explore working with the Uganda government to accelerate more partnerships like this. I also learn that your previous healthcare efforts, for example, enabled the community during COVID season to access face masks, hand washing services, and vaccination. Ladies and gentlemen, COVID may long be gone, yet I am sure it made you competent in addressing less complex health needs through your clinic. Uganda’s government is always eager towards such spirited efforts. Decentralized healthcare was once oriented toward primary healthcare, a key positive effort of our government even here in Tororo. It is that foundation that has motivated industry players to demonstrate how profit-making can serve a great purpose, a purpose of building lives beyond shelters. The community of Tororo and surrounding areas, the practitioner consultations, antenatal services, family planning, and other services coming here are going to be a community gift, steward them well, and advise your people to maximize them, not many businesses in this country can go the extra mile as Uganda Baati has done,” the Minister said.
She added: “We hope you can tap into this opportunity and leverage it for your Tororo’s good. You now have the ministry of health gains to leverage for a better country, the real question is whether you will optimize the opportunity. It is necessary to take the necessary actions to ensure that CSR programs benefit the community. I’m confident that this effort will please our people in Tororo, who have long-desired health information and a variety of services to improve their lives.”
George Arodi, the Business Head/CEO – Uganda Baati said that Uganda Baati Clinic in Tororo will offer subsidized yet quality health services to the surrounding community members who otherwise couldn’t afford them at market rates.
“The clinic will provide outpatient services such as doctor’s consultations, minor surgeries, a wide array of laboratory tests, and outpatient treatments. These are greatly subsidized costs since Uganda Baati absorbs a major percentage of operational costs. More services like Childhood immunizations, community sensitization, and medical outreaches will be offered at no cost,” Arodi said.
He implored the community to make use of this facility and called upon all the local leaders to mobilize people to access professional health services at the Uganda Baati Medical clinic-Tororo branch. The future is bright, especially because of the vision, mission and values that will guide the medical team as they provide care to patients. We have full confidence in the medical team selected by the UBL HR department, and we are excited about the promising relationship we have with the district leadership and other players in the health sector particularly here in Tororo,” Arodi said.
According to Arodi, Uganda Baati plans to start relatively small and “then grow gradually as we build partnerships here and as we get to understand better the healthcare needs of the Tororo community.”
“The plan, generally, is to identify other gaps in healthcare services and gradually fill those gaps in conjunction with our partners,” Arodi said.
Uganda Baati expects between 400 and 500 attendees from within and around Tororo town, who will have access to free doctor’s consultations, dental examination, eye examination, cervical cancer screening, and laboratory tests (Hepatitis B screening, malaria RDT, blood glucose, and HIV testing).
Uganda Baati Medical Clinic was opened in April 2007 as a CSR investment aimed at providing first-class primary health care to company staff and the community, at a significantly subsidized cost. It is one way that Uganda Baati gives back to the community around the factory and the country at large.
