SAYS MOST UGANDANS FEAR TESTING BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE BAD NEWS
Senior Presidential Advisor on media and public relations Mary Karooro Okurut has challenged Ugandans to always make tests on various diseases in order to get early treatment. She says many Ugandans and Africans in general fear going for testing on various illnesses because they do not want to hear possible ‘sad results’.
“Most of the diseases, when detected early, can be treated. But the problem we have in Uganda and Africa is that most people fear testing for diseases because of the possible results. This should stop” She counseled adding that if possible, people should be tested every year so that those found positive, the problem can be dealt with for complete healing.
Lay Can. Karooro made the remarks while officiating at the annual Rotary Cancer Run in Bushenyi town on Sunday. The soft-spoken Karooro said cancer is a universal problem that needs a universal approach if it is to be defeated.
“A big percentage of people globally die from this cancer. Therefore, awareness is crucial, and our lifestyles are crucial in making sure that we combat cancer. This universal run is a call for us to worry together and make sure that cancer is eradicated” she said.
The ex-security minister also hailed efforts for setting up a multi-billion cancer treatment facility at Nsambya Hospital. The facility will have two bunkers and two linear accelerators with an estimated budget worth Shs13bn.
Karooro who is also the former Bushenyi district Woman MP called for continued awareness and timely screening as crucial tools in the fight against cancer disease in Uganda.
This year’s Cancer Run hoped to raise Shs2bn and that according to Karooro, this money is urgently needed so that the facility is put in place.
The function was also attended by area MPs Loius Mbwatekamwa [Igara West] and Annet Katusiime [Woman MP], with Mbwatekamwa calling for real action instead of making what he called Cancer ceremonies.
“The cancer run should not be a ceremony where people are taking selfies and updating their status on Whatsapp, but rather an action-oriented exercise in which people eat and act responsibly to prevent the disease. We must kick this disease out of Uganda” he said.
Meanwhile, Katusiime who was the chief runner urged communities to give hope to people already affected by the cancer disease, saying when left alone, the patients become hopeless.
She said it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that these people are encouraged and taken care of in order facilitates healing.
World cancer statistics indicate that there were an estimated 18.1 million cancer cases around the world in 2020 of which 9.3 million cases were among men and 8.8 million among women.
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