Friday, June 7, 2013

CANCER AWARENESS MEETING IN ST. KIZITO BUKOLWA RC, KATIKAMU PRIMARY SCHOOL


There are many health challenges associated with Cancer in Uganda and in Luweero Triangle in particular and yet health planners have given it little attention compared to other ill states.
Addressing Cancer challenges in Luweero District
During a school visit at St. Kizito Bukolwa RC Primary School, members of UCRF wanted to establish if at all there is clear knowledge among teachers and pupils concerning breast and cervical cancers and whether at all there are any nearby services for screening of breast and cervical cancers in the nearby health units around. But to our knowledge, the pupils, including the community is not aware; the implication of this is lack of awareness. Unfortunately if at all the surrounding health centers have some cancer services, they are minimal.
The number of participants addressed ranged to 100 people but only one person expressed clear knowledge and understanding of cancer.
During our interactions, one lady had a conversation with the cancer intelligence officer and informed her of how she has a pain which she suspects that it could be cancer but little had it crossed her mind to go for cancer investigation. After the meeting, she promised to go for the test.  Another lady also had a lump in the breast and she promised to go for cancer investigation.
A participant also has a relative who has cervical cancer but by the time of the awareness she hadtravelled to look for herbs to treat the disease from the local herbalists.
Many people did not know that if cancer is discovered early enough it can be treated.
Like any other isolated community most people in Katikamu think cancer is a disease for the rich and it is far from them.
The most challenging part is that our people in the community lack sensitization and it not because people are careless with their lives.

Some of the photos taken during an interaction with pupils at St. Kizito Bukolwa RC Primary School



 


Thursday, March 14, 2013

UCRF Luweero Cancer awareness Campaign at a Children’s Social Event

 A total of 202 Children who gathered at Kasana-Luweero Diocese for a one day children social event, profited by this chance to hear from Isanga Anthony a UCRF programs manager.

In his message, Anthony educated the children how cancer is on the increase today. There are many health challenges in Uganda and in Luweero Triangle in particular yet; health planners have given it little attention compared to other illnesses.

It is sad that amidst given Health center screening services available in place, the community is still ignorant about cancer. Many children did not know that if cancer is discovered early enough it can be treated. This was clearly evidenced when out of 202 children present; only one child had ever tested for cancer. Children were also brought to an understanding that sometimes people feel cancer related pains yet little crosses their mind to go for cancer investigation. Instead of seeking professional help, some people opt to go for herbs to treat the disease reiterated Anthony. Like any other isolated community most children who participated thought cancer is a disease for the rich and it is far from them. Hence encouraging the young generation to seek consultations on cancer so as to establish their health status.

The most challenging part is not because people are careless with their lives but the community lacks sensitization.
This therefore serves to call for a concerted effort of all in the fight against cancer.

Prepared and compiled by;

Isanga Anthony
UCRF Programs Manager



In the picture is Isanga Anthony addressing children on cancer.






The following day, Anthony also managed to talk to a team of SILC Field agents and their supervisors about cancer. SILC is an acronym for Savings in Internal Lending Communities. Below are some of the pictures for the session.



Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Uganda Cancer Research Foundation Meeting at NAMELA on on 9th February 2013


Agenda
 
1. Opening remarks from the chair
2. Reading of previous minutes
3. Matters arising from 1 &  2
4. Way forward
5. A.O.B


Members Present

No.
Name
Position
Contact
1.
Dr. Yusuf Mpairwe
Chairperson BOD
0772923989,
2.
Dr. Isaac Magoola
CEO
0772486666,
3.
Isanga Anthony
Program Manager
0772073539,
4.
Mr. Kateregga Isaac
Member
5.
Mr. Isaac Matovu
Member
0784337287,
6.
Mr. Mugabe Lawrence
Member
0779800008, 0701932912, lawrenceking@gmail.com
7.
Mr. Muzaale Joseph
Member
0772647126,
0702483822,
8.
Mr. Kanakulya George
Member
0774429490,
 0712203488,
9.
Mr. Tyaba Charles
Member
0712862574,
10.
Ms. Anita Sseruwagi
Member
0772432915,
11.
Mr. Dan Kireju
Vice CEO
0777912133
  

No.
Minute
Action
Person responsible
01;
Opening remarks: The chair welcomed members for turning up and above all going through the documentary exercise which was speared by a team of artists led by Ms. Anita Sseruwagi. After the opening remarks invited the secretary to read the previous minutes.


02;
Minutes: The minutes of the meeting which was held on the 15/12/2012 were read and corrected then followed matters arising.


03;
Matters arising: In the matters arising, one member requested that the research which was conducted by Mrs. Luswa from Min. of Health Uganda and Sylvia a medical student from St. Andrew’s University be printed, bound, and filed for future reference.

It was raised that let Mr. Charles be contacted concerning his involvement and support to the UCRF activities.

Concerning the training meeting for UCRF volunteers at Namela, it was decided that let each centre suggest two names of members to be trained. The date for training shall be communicated accordingly.

Concerning the UCRF awareness plan in schools, on radio and TV; the artists are planning a program for schools, radio and TV and very soon, their plan will presented to the members for approval. The plan is to include:  Community concert, recording and taping music, traditional folks name it.








Target UCRF awareness making in Ghettos, market places around Kampala, the football pitch at Mulago Hospital. Let artists plan this is, sample it out after, and give a feedback accordingly.

To translate and print a UCRF brochure in the local language.
Before any information is broadcast on air, to seek an informed consent and signature from the people responsible.
After the compilation of the documentary by the artists, to come back at NAMELA on 23rd February 2013 to listen to it, edit & vet.




The artists group to elect a technical committee that is responsible for editing its work before it is presented to the UCRF Publicity and awareness committee.
Print, bind Sylvia’s research




To contact Mr. Charles



To suggest two members from each centre.


1.  To design a clear plan and material for awareness
2. Recruit Radio/TV Proprietors, Directors & presenters as UCRF volunteers

To draft invitation letters inviting key people from TV and Radio media houses for a UCRF meeting

Artists to come up with a budget for the awareness activities.






Meet on 23rd February, 2013 to view and listen to the documentary & vet the material for airing.



Dr. Isaac Magoola





Mr. Dan Kireju



Beatrice (Luwero), Anita (Kampala),
Maria (Masaka)


Anita Sseruwagi







Dr. Isaac Magoola





Anita Sseruwagi




Dr. Isaac Magoola


UCRF Members
Publicity & Awareness Committee (Dr. Yusuf, Isaac, Dan, Anthony, and a representative from Masaka).

Artists group
03;
Way forward:
1.       The Awareness and publicity committee to meet on 23rd February 2013 to listen edit and vet the music and documentary developed by the artists.
2.       To talk to the two doctors at NAMELA on the possibility of interviewing them for the documentary on cancer.








Dr. Yusuf  Mpairwe
04;
A.O.B :
To have something tangible to give to the public as UCRF.
To include a report on the meeting held with the Swedish delegation at Penial Beach Hotel Entebbe.

Richard in America to be contacted on his plans of establishing a cancer centre.




Mr. Isanga Anthony


Dr. Yusuf Mpairwe
05;
Conclusion: The chairperson concluded the meeting at 1.00 pm thanking members for attending and wishes them a safe journey home.


…………………………………..                                                                               ……………………………..
Dr. Yusuf Mpairwe                                                                                      Mr. Isanga Anthony
Chairperson                                                                                                 Secretary
 

Interviewing Dr. Yusuf Mpairwe (UCRF Board Chairperson)

 


Dr. Isaac Magoola (UCRF CEO) Being Interviewed
 




Mr. Isanga Anthony (UCRF Program Manager) being Interviewed