MTN Uganda Foundation Friday handed over the revamped Out-Patient Department (OPD) block of Kabarole Hospital Church of Uganda (C.O.U) and donated hospital equipment to benefit hundreds of patients who frequent one of Western Uganda’s busiest public hospitals.
During the handover ceremony, 10 hospital beds, 10 hospital mattresses, 10 hospital blankets and 10 mosquito nets were received by officials from the Ministry of Health and Kabarole Hospital.
This activity was done as part of the corporate social responsibility efforts of MTN Uganda carried out by its humanitarian arm, the MTN Uganda Foundation.
Speaking at the event, the MTN senior leadership was excited by the potential impact the donation will make to bring about long lasting change to Ugandans through provision of health care equipment.
“As part of the Access to Health Care initiative project, it is our aim as MTN Uganda to support the delivery of better quality health services to all across Uganda through the provision of hospital equipment” said MTN Uganda’s CEO, Wim Vanhelleputte, who was in Fort Portal to officiate at the event.
Access to quality health services is enshrined in the Goal Number 3 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The nine goals were developed in order to direct the path for development around the world.
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the third SDG is “Good health and well-being” which targets “access to quality essential health-care services” for all.
“Our donation today is small but will go a long way to assist each and every patient who comes here to get better treatment by ensuring their stay here is made as comfortable as possible in order to aid their full healing and recovery” said MTN Uganda’s CEO, Wim Vanhelleputte.
The Senior Manager Corporate Affairs at MTN Uganda, Ms. Justina Ntabgoba-Kayemba, praised the work done by the staff of Kabarole Hospital, which has been in existence for almost 115 years, in delivery of health services to residents of Fort Portal.
“We congratulate the Kabarole Hospital staff for the great work done towards provision of outreach services, core clinical services, community health services and medical operational services. This donation will rejuvenate them to carry out their duties better”, she said.
The Medical Superintendent Kabarole Hospital, Mr. Edward Mugisha noted that the donation will enable the private-not-for-hospital become more self-sustaining and deliver affordable healthcare.
“The hospital is reliant on donor funding but this has been declining. The funds are used to cover utilities and provide for the staff leaving less money for us to finance our several infrastructure projects. This donation and renovation frees some resources to ensure we deliver affordable healthcare.”
The event was part of various corporate social responsibility activities carried out by MTN Uganda Foundation whose main objective is to improve the quality of life in communities across the country by supporting and implementing sustainable projects in education, health, art and sciences, sports and other national priorities.
Last month, Valery Okecho, Corporate Communications Manager, handed over 30 beds, 30 mattresses, 30 bedsheets, 30 blankets and 30 mosquito nets to the State Minister for Health (General Duties) Hon. Sarah Opendi and the Commissioner of Curative Services in the Ministry of Health Dr. Jackson Amone. The donations were given to benefit the services of Bwera Hospital in Kasese.
The MTN Uganda Foundation Access to Health Initiative (AHI) will see 500 hospital beds, 500 mattresses, 500 blankets and 500 nets be given out to hospitals around the country.
