We Performed 365 Surgeries at Our Second Health Camp in Yumbe

On September 12, 2024, Çare Association proudly continued to fulfill the promises made during our first health camp with our second health camp in Uganda’s Yumbe region. In this camp, we put in great effort to provide thousands of people with access to healthcare and support their basic needs.

Restoring Access to Healthcare in Yumbe

The Yumbe region has been home to thousands of people who have struggled for years to access basic healthcare due to insufficient health infrastructure. As Çare Association, our goal is to reach those in need under these challenging conditions and make healthcare services more accessible. During our second health camp, we worked tirelessly to address the gaps from the previous camp and reach even more people.

Restoring Vision Through Cataract Surgeries

In many regions of Africa, including Yumbe, cataracts remain one of the most common health issues. The intense sunlight, poor nutrition, and weak hygiene conditions in the area contribute to the rise in cataract cases. In our previous camp in January, we performed over 170 cataract surgeries. This year, we set a target of 217 surgeries, restoring the vision of many individuals who were previously unable to see the world clearly. Cataract surgeries have allowed these individuals to regain their independence and rejoin daily life.

General Surgeries: Putting an End to Long Waits

The Yumbe Health Camp didn’t just focus on eye health, but also provided significant services in general surgery. In this second camp, we performed 108 general surgeries. These included treatments for hernias, hydroceles, and various tumor cases. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our volunteer doctors, patients who had been waiting for treatment for a long time regained their health and saw an improvement in their quality of life. Each surgery allowed patients to return to their daily routines.

Pediatric Surgery: Big Support for Little Hearts

Among the services provided at the Yumbe camp were 40 pediatric surgeries, addressing various conditions affecting children's health. These surgeries are crucial for ensuring the healthy growth and development of children. Our expert doctors performed these procedures free of charge, addressing a range of health issues from congenital anomalies to injuries. Every operation brought new hope to these young lives and set them on the path to a healthier future.

Solidarity Through Food and Livestock Aid

In addition to healthcare services, 65 food packages were distributed during the camp. Each package contained *5 kg of beans, 5 kg of sugar, 5 kg of rice, 3 packs of salt, 1 bar of soap, and *10 kg of maize flour. These packages played a vital role in meeting the basic needs of families.

Moreover, 8 cattle and 9 sheep were slaughtered to meet the meat needs of the people in the region. Daily meals were provided, and 50 sheep were distributed to families in need to support their livelihoods. These donations helped families both nutritionally and economically.

Fulfilling Our Promise

During our first health camp, we made a promise to the patients we couldn’t treat: "We will come back!" With this second camp, we have honored that promise. The Çare Association Doctors team worked tirelessly day and night to meet the expectations of the local community. In addition to surgeries, we aimed to improve families’ quality of life through essential food aid and livestock distributions. Every bit of help contributed not only to physical health but also to the morale and motivation of the patients.

The Role of Volunteers and Donors

Behind these meaningful efforts are the dedicated work of our volunteer doctors and the generous support of our donors. Every surgery, every food package, and every livestock distribution is made possible thanks to you, our valued donors. As the association representatives say, “Without our volunteers and donors, these services would be impossible. Every donation helps a family regain their health." We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you.

"We are merely the means."