ALICE Kobusinge
St. Theresa Wekomiire Health Center III, under the Fort Portal Catholic Diocese, yesterday joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 34th World Day of the Sick in what was also celebrated by the mother church as Our Lady of Lourdes.
The event is celebrated globally every February 11, with the health workers, patients, and the community to encouraged to reflect on the importance of care and compassion in healthcare.
World day for the sick was established by Pope Paul II aiming to pray for those who are ill and those who care for them. and this year’s theme was Always committed to compassionate care
Be merciful to patients
During the mass held at Wekomiire play grounds in Kyegegwa district, the Bishop of Fort Portal Catholic diocese Rt. Rev. Dr. Robert Muhiirwa urged health workers to promote professionalism and offer compassionate care to patients since they are God’s instruments to treat his people
Bishop Muhiirwa asked the gathering to be merciful and offer financial support and care to the sick in their families, hospitals, places of work and to the community
The Fort Portal local Ordinary, further emphasized on the need to embrace prevention measures of the diseases by monitoring their feeding habits, avoiding alcoholism, sexual immoralities and promoting sanitation and hygiene
He also urged the sick to always follow guidance from health workers and embrace early testing He further urged women to utilize the availability of health facilities around them for antenatal and give birth
At the very function, Rev. Fr. Jude Kasaija the diocesan health coordinator expresssed gratitude to the government of Uganda for its efforts in supporting the Catholic Church in different sectors like health among others.
Rev. Fr. Daniel Mark Kiiza, the parish priest Wekomiire asked the public to take the responsibility of taking care of and helping the sick. He commended Fort Portal diocese for establishing health facilities which have extended health care services to the locals.
Health center decries water challenges
Rev. Sr. Anna Mary Nyamahunge the in charge of St. Theresa Wekomiire health center III said that the commemoration started on 9th this month with a health camp where over 1688 people have benefited and over 300 managed to donate blood.
She however highlighted challenges of lack of functional water supply system, limited space for laboratory services, inadequate laboratory equipments among others.