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Blood testing during the medical camp being conducted by a health worker By Biko Rombe Gulu City Hundreds of residents from Gulu City and neighboring areas turned up at Jowa Medical Center on Saturday for a free pre-cancer medical camp organized by the Rotary
Blood testing during the medical camp being conducted by a health worker
By Biko Rombe
Gulu City
Hundreds of residents from Gulu City and neighboring areas turned up at Jowa Medical Center on Saturday for a free pre-cancer medical camp organized by the Rotary Club of Gulu City ahead of the upcoming Rotary Cancer Run 2026.
The outreach, conducted in partnership with the Rotaract Club of Gulu University, DFCU Bank, the Ministry of Health, St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor, Marie Stopes Uganda, Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, and other healthcare partners, offered free screening, testing, treatment, and health education services to the public.
The medical camp formed part of activities leading to the annual Rotary Cancer Run scheduled for August 30, 2026, which seeks to raise awareness and funds to support cancer treatment services in Uganda.
Speaking during the exercise, Dr. Jimmy Opee, the Medical Director of Jowa Medical Center, member of the Rotary Club of Gulu City, and lecturer at Gulu University Faculty of Medicine, said the initiative was aimed at promoting early detection and prevention of cancer and other illnesses through community screening programs.
According to Dr. Opee, the burden of cancer continues to rise in Uganda, with cervical cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and esophageal cancer among the most common cases affecting communities.
“There are over 200 cancers globally and the burden is rising even here in Uganda. Cancer affects quality of life and can lead to complications like liver failure, kidney failure and other health challenges,” Dr. Opee said.
He explained that the free camp provided a wide range of medical services including cervical cancer screening, prostate cancer screening, malaria testing, diabetes screening, sickle cell screening, HIV testing, blood pressure monitoring, ultrasound scans, family planning services, and general medical consultations.
Dr. Opee added that healthcare workers also treated common illnesses identified during the camp while offering health education to help residents make informed decisions about their wellbeing.
“We expect more than 1,000 people to benefit from this activity. Providing information and medical services helps people understand their health status and make better choices for their lives,” he noted.
The event also featured a blood donation exercise conducted by the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services to support patients in need of emergency blood transfusion.
Dr. Opee commended the different partners and healthcare providers who supported the outreach, including St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor and TASO Sickle Cell, saying their collaboration helped expand services to the community.
Residents who attended the camp praised the organizers for bringing free healthcare services closer to the people.
Monica Aryemo, one of the beneficiaries, said she brought her children for malaria testing and treatment, services she said would have cost her a lot of money under normal circumstances.
“The services were very good. The doctors welcomed us well and advised me on how to take care of my children. Everything was free and we were treated with care,” Aryemo said.
She encouraged residents to take advantage of similar community medical outreaches in the future, saying such programs help vulnerable families access healthcare services they may otherwise fail to afford.
Another beneficiary, Apio Emanuela Cynthia, a third-year student at Gulu University and member of the Rotaract Club of Gulu University, said the exercise helped her know her health status after undergoing tests for HIV, blood sugar, and sickle cell disease.
“I now know my status and I have been equipped with knowledge on how to protect myself and remain healthy,” she said.
Apio also thanked the organizers for offering free services and pledged support for the upcoming Cancer Run 2026 campaign.
Health experts at the camp emphasized the importance of regular screening and healthy lifestyles in preventing cancer, warning against risk factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy feeding habits, obesity, and lack of physical exercise.
The Rotary Cancer Run 2026 is expected to bring together thousands of Ugandans in support of cancer awareness and fundraising efforts aimed at improving access to cancer treatment services across the country.
The successful turnout at the Gulu medical camp highlighted growing public awareness about preventive healthcare and the role of community partnerships in improving access to essential medical services.