Health
Makerere University Population Cohort (MUCHAP/IMHDSS) to conduct a Community Medical Camp
MUCHAP, the Makerere University Centre for Health and Population Research, is dedicated to improving the well-being of the Ugandan population through the generation and dissemination of high-quality demographic, health, and socio-economic information. With a focus on the Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (IMHDSS), MUCHAP has been actively engaged in monitoring births, deaths, and migrations for over 15 years. By conducting impactful research that addresses community needs, MUCHAP aims to bridge the gap between academic research and the practical needs of households and individuals.
To further this mission, MUCHAP is organizing a health camp in Wairama trading centre, Nakigo sub-county, Iganga district on 17th June, 2023, starting at 9:00 AM. Building upon the success of a previous health camp in 2017, which collected over 700 units of blood and served more than 2,000 community members, this upcoming event aims to tackle the significant challenge of child mortality in the region. By raising awareness, improving access to healthcare services, and investigating the causes of child death, the health camp strives to enhance the overall health of the community.
The core objective of the community engagement, which includes a medical camp, is to bring the university’s research directly to the community, incorporating community voices and addressing their needs. Dr. Dan Kajungu, the Lead Research Scientist and Executive Director of MUCHAP, outlines the objectives of the medical camp.
“These include health education on topics such as childhood immunization, child and maternal health, health-seeking behaviors, personal and household hygiene, and early screening and diagnosis for non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases.
“Additionally, the camp aims to provide feedback to the community regarding past research conducted and its implications for population well-being. Furthermore, the event will facilitate a dialogue on innovative technologies such as the minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) method for determining the cause of death, which involves conducting autopsies without fully opening the body” he said.
The health camp will also serve as an opportunity to sensitize and engage the community about the importance of registering all births and deaths with the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) systems. Recognizing that many events, including those occurring within health facilities, often go unregistered in the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system, the HDSS is collaborating with NIRA to enhance registration through community structures such as Village Health Teams (VHTs) and Local Council One Chairpersons. Leveraging their experience and expertise in community-level registration since 2005, MUCHAP aims to promote comprehensive CRVS coverage.
Looking ahead, MUCHAP envisions establishing a community research and public health laboratory that is accessible and community friendly. This laboratory will provide convenient services to community members while facilitating essential research, similar to centers in South Africa and other developed countries.
This endeavor is supported by the Makerere University Biomedical Research Center (MakBRC), which builds upon existing infrastructure that was partly funded by Pfizer International by contributing to the construction of the current center premises.
Working with healthcare workers from Iganga General Hospital and other community-based public health facilities, the health camp will offer a range of activities including community engagement, health education talks, screenings, and laboratory tests for common diseases. Community members will receive various products and services, such as treated mosquito nets, family planning services, medication, and immunizations for eligible individuals.
Through these initiatives, MUCHAP aims to empower the community with knowledge, resources, and improved access to healthcare, thereby addressing key health challenges and working towards a robust disease surveillance system at the community level.
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