By Alex Gahima and Gerald Niyirinda
Lions Club district Governor 411B John Bosco Ntangaare has called on communities in Kisoro to embrace the available information on Diabetes, one of the most silent and deadliest Non- Communicable diseases (NCD) in the world.
The Governor’s remarks were made earlier this week while he was visiting the members of Lions Club Kisoro.
His visit coincided with the belated, World Diabetes Day celebrations that had been organized by Kisoro Hospital.
World Diabetes day is always commemorated on November 14th every year.
Ntangaare pointed out that, Lions all over the world selflessly seek to support activities that can boost health related issues.
These include Diabetes, Childhood Cancer, Vision and hearing preservation among others.
According the Lions Club district handbook 2021-2022, members globally, intend to conduct diabetes awareness campaigns aiming at serving 300,000 people by June 2022.
The handbook also stresses the importance of monthly fitness exercises and quarterly bicycle rides aimed at fighting diabetes.
Ntangaare explained that Diabetes type 1, was formerly known to attack people who spend a lot of their time, working behind an office desk however the trend has changed.
“People of all ages are now suddenly becoming diabetic and this should not be taken lightly, we need to provide enough information to communities so that they can better prepare themselves, should they get Diabetes”, Ntangaare explained.
While meeting with the Kisoro Diabetes Club at Tour Land Hotel in Kisoro Municipality, Lion Ntangaare offered a Glucometer to the hospital to allow more people test for Diabetes and know their status.
A total of 32 people, including adults and children are currently getting medical support at Kisoro hospital for Diabetes type 1.
Head of Palliative Care at Kisoro Hospital Dr. John Bosco Twine explained that the number of people living in the communities with Diabetes is much higher than what the hospital is currently managing.
Dr. Twine commended Lions Club for offering support in health related matters because at the end of the day, medical care for any human being cannot be ignored, no matter how expensive or how busy one gets.
According to the Ministry of Health Diabetes Booklet, Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin dependent diabetes accounts for 10% of all diabetic cases in Uganda.
It generally occurs in children but is usually diagnosed before the age of 40 years. It has been said, that Type 1, is more difficult to control than other types because a person does not produce enough insulin and therefore need life- long treatment.
Lions clean Kisoro town, Overwhelmed by dirt in town
Lions Club Kisoro President Annet Dusabe, who also serves in the capacity of Assistant District Health (ADHO) Officer in charge of maternal health flagged off the cleaning activities from the Kisoro district headquarters.
Flanked by Lion Abel Bizimana, Kisoro district LCV chairman and other dignified members of the community, the cleaning exercise that lasted a few hours, saw the members questioning Municipal authorities who have failed to unblock drainage systems in town.
The Lions, who worked committedly along with Volunteers Kisoro Nature Walkers were left without words after encountering dumped plastic bottles, one after another.
Lion Bizimana, who mentioned in passing that during the first Lockdown, he was diagnosed with early signs of Diabetes said Kisoro Municipal authorities need to pull up their socks, if the district is ever to attain Tourism city status.
Several members including Lion Prince Trevor Mugenga, director Voice of Muhabura said Lions Club is willing to support such cleaning activities however the Municipal authorities need to come clean and tell town dwellers and business operators where the taxes and revenue collected goes because it doesn’t go into cleaning the town.
Lions Club Kisoro President Annet Dusabe said Lions Club is ready to identify a landfill and ensure all plastics are sorted but the authorities need to be transparent.
At the time of Cleaning, there was no Political figure head from Kisoro Municipality to respond to the accusations.
Day brightens as New Members are inducted into the Club
Lions Club Kisoro members in the company of the district Governor John Bosco Ntangaare held a meeting to discuss the progress of Lions Club Kisoro.
During that time, Members including Sison Mugisha, a senior health practitioner in Kisoro, Prince Trevor Mugenga were recognized for encouraging new members to join the club.
The members were also commended for tree planting at Amazing Grace Primary School, constructing a Lions Shade for boda boda riders and pedestrians near Gatimba Market and promoting Nature walks.
Dinavence Komugisha, Charity Musiimenta and Immaculate Owembabazi were formally inducted into the club, in a colorful event.
Ntangaare however challenged the members to double their efforts in funding Lions activities and for members to create more time to meet, plan and execute activities meant to benefit the people of Kisoro.
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