Clare
Health workers and all staff in medical facilities are encouraged to provide compassionate care to patients at all times, especially when they seek assistance.
The call, was made by Rt. Rev. Dr. Robert Muhiirwa Akiiki during the Holy Mass for the sick at the Holy Family Virika Hospital’s Annual Health Assembly, held at the hospital chapel in Virika, Fort Portal City, yesterday.
Therapy to Healing
In his homily, as the main celebrant, the Bishop of Fort Portal, Dr. Muhiirwa, shared his personal journey of recovery from prostate cancer, speaking about the care he received from doctors in India last year, which gave him confidence in his healing.
He expressed gratitude for his recovery and urged health workers to offer a welcoming and caring attitude to all patients who come to their facilities, noting that many arrive with both physical and emotional pain, seeking relief. He emphasized that it would be unfortunate for patients to experience additional stress due to poor care.
Bishop Muhiirwa also encouraged Christians to regularly give thanks to God for the gift of life, reminding them that many people take their health for granted until they face life-threatening situations. Reflecting on the day’s gospel about the ten lepers who were healed, he noted that only one returned to thank Jesus, and urged both patients and staff at Virika Hospital to remember to thank God for the healing and blessings received.
The Bishop, reflecting on the motto of Virika Hospital—“We treat, Jesus heals”—encouraged the faithful to maintain strong faith in God during times of illness, referencing the scripture where Jesus told a healed patient, “Go, your faith has made you well.”
Residents credit Virika Hospital
Mr. Emmanuel Manyindo, a retired secondary school teacher, shared his testimony of how Virika Hospital helped him recover from prostate enlargement and hernia. He credited Bishop Muhiirwa for advocating for the services of a urologist, which significantly aided his healing process. He encouraged the local community to seek early medical advice and make full use of the hospital’s resources.
In addition, Miss Teddy Kintu, a medical social worker at Virika Hospital, highlighted the growing number of mental health cases at the facility. She attributed this rise to the challenges of daily life faced by local residents and stressed the importance of managing one’s thoughts and maintaining a balanced diet to cope with stress.
