Over 5,000 Patients Treated at AMDA Medical Camp in Rushooka

At least 5,258 patients were treated for various illnesses during a medical camp held on Saturday, 7th September 2024, at Rushooka in Ntungamo. The camp, which took place at St Paul’s High School, was part of the activities for the annual visit by the Archdiocese of Mbarara Development Association (AMDA) to different parishes, dubbed the AMDA Caravan.

This year, the caravan visited St Peter Bwizibwera Parish and Rushooka Parish, which is under the management of the Franciscan Friars. Prior to the caravan, AMDA Women conducted a Training of Trainers (TOT) program on making soap and jelly at Bwizibwera Parish, while the AMDA Education Council held workshops for secondary school teachers on the new curriculum, specifically focusing on project work assessment, continuous assessment frameworks, continuous assessment items, AMIA, and classroom conduct. A total of 100 educators were trained at both Rushooka and Bwizibwera parishes on 4th and 5th September.

The AMDA Health Council, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH), carried out TB screening across all sub-counties in Ntungamo for an entire week. Upon arrival on Friday, 6th September, hundreds of AMDA members engaged in developmental discussions with the Christians of both parishes, in line with the AMDA pillars of Education, Health and Wellness, Environmental Sustainability, Spiritual Development and Transformation, Unity, Economic Empowerment, and Leadership Development.

In partnership with several of their collaborators, the AMDA leadership also launched a borehole to provide water for the community surrounding Rushooka Parish and conducted tree planting activities to promote environmental sustainability. Men, women, youth, and children participated in various discussions aimed at empowering them economically and socially by building families grounded in faith.

On Saturday, the long-awaited main event of the caravan was warmly welcomed by the locals and patients from neighboring districts, who were already in line by 6:00 a.m. to receive treatment. In total, 5,258 patients were treated throughout the camp, which closed at 6:00 p.m. The cases handled included 65 cataract surgeries, 422 dental surgeries, cancer screenings, and several other medical services. A fully stocked pharmacy was also set up, and all treated patients went home with the necessary medications.

During the closing ceremony, Dr. Criscent Tumuhaise, the AMDA Health Council Chairman, informed the media that over 600 health workers, including more than 30 specialists and 5 senior consultants from different disciplines, participated in the medical camp.

“We also provided services like cancer screening for men and women, gynecology, ENT, immunization, dental care, pediatrics, psychiatry, counseling, and general health services. Every patient received the medication required based on their diagnosis, and the remaining medicines were donated to Rushooka Health Centre IV,” said Dr. Tumuhaise.

There were also spiritual services such as the Sacrament of Reconciliation and counseling offered by priests. Rushenyi County Member of Parliament, Hon. Kabasharira Naome, welcomed AMDA to her constituency and thanked them for bringing such programs to the local community. She noted that in the history of Rushenyi, such activities had never happened before.

The legislator promised that what her voters learned from the week-long AMDA activities, such as soap making, baking various products, and good agricultural practices, would be put into action moving forward. Hon. Kabasharira urged men to support their wives by providing them with capital to further the business knowledge they gained from AMDA women.

AMDA members also donated various educational materials, including textbooks, pens for candidates, chalk, and more. They also trained teachers and headteachers in both parishes before the caravan’s arrival to help advance education in the area.

The AMDA legal team provided pro-bono services to the people of Bwizibwera and Rushooka on Friday. This activity was extended through Saturday, with the same services offered alongside the medical camp. hundreds of clients with different kinds of legal challenges and those seeking to write proper last wills and testaments were helped. The legal clinic is one of the most sought after services during any caravan.

The caravan concluded on Sunday with a High Mass led by the Archbishop of Mbarara, His Grace Lambert Bainomugisha. In his homily, the Archbishop emphasized that the kingdom of God unites Christians to the extent that many are willing to travel far to bring gifts, such as love, to those in distant parishes.

He explained that AMDA members are driven by the love of God to visit the parishes they do each year. “AMDA members have come to visit you for their 10th caravan, carrying gifts of love, faith, and trust, as well as gifts to help strengthen us in faith. What they have done here is a sign of the faith they carry. Christ, who is God’s love, is the one who sent them here,” said His Grace Bainomugisha.

The Archbishop also reminded the Christians of Rushooka Parish that the church loves and treasures them. He commended the Franciscan Friars for caring for the Christians, comparing them to Christ, who helped a woman who had come to fetch water from a deep well.

“Many people come with empty pots, and you listen to them. Their stories become part of your story, and a touch heals them. Christ works through you to heal these people. May this healing Christ touch all of you who are here doing the healing ministry,” he added.

Rev. Fr. Aphrodis Rumanyika, the parish priest of Rushooka, thanked AMDA members for visiting his parish, stating that their visit fulfills the Gospel and Jesus Christ’s command to love one another.

“Thank you, AMDA, for choosing Rushooka. Your visit will leave an indelible mark in the hearts of our faithful. You will always be remembered for boosting our economic, spiritual, and social aspects. I have no doubt that even future generations will learn about the tremendous legacy that the 2024 caravan has left here,” said Fr. Rumanyika.

The AMDA Chairman, Mr. Chris Gumisiriza, also thanked association members for their efforts in spreading the word of God through charity and commended healthcare workers for making the medical camp a success.

“Your unwavering commitment, tireless efforts, and generosity have been the cornerstone of this year’s success. You have given your time, expertise, and resources to ensure our community has access to essential medical care, improved livelihoods, and overall well-being. For this, we are grateful,” said Gumisiriza.

AMDA has chosen Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral Nyamitanga as the host for the 2025 Caravan, which will be the 11th Caravan, according to Fr. Darius Magunda, the AMDA Chaplain. In the past, they have visited the parishes of Rugazi (2013), Buhungiro, Birunduma & Kyoga (2014), Rwera, Kagamba, Rushooka, and Ntungamo (2015), Kitabi, Mutara, Nyakishojwa, and Bubangizi (2016), Kazo, Rushere, and Kitura (2017), Rushanje and Rwoho (2018), Mushanga and Kakindo (2019), Butare, Bihanga, Kashorero, and Nyakitoko (2022), Ibanda and Kihani (2023), and Rushooka (2024).