The Launch of Cavendish University Uganda (CUU) Community Health Day on 14th September, 2019 was a very memorable event that yielded remarkable Health awareness. It was piloted under the Theme," Engaging Urban Communities for Health Improvement."
"Transforming the society is at the centre of CUU’s Core Values. We are fed by the community and produce products to better the community." said the Vice Chancellor-Prof. John F. Mugisha during his opening remarks. He further acknowledged that the initiative which attracted such a huge gathering is a clear demonstration that CUU is not alone in understanding the importance of Public Health.
One of the students, Jachan Jackson, who is in his first year pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Health Sciences had the opportunity to showcase his innovation about vector control. He demonstrated how non-chemical methods made of foodstuffs and plastic bottles can be used to control flies and in turn prevent diseases.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health-Dr. Diana Atwine (Chief Guest) was then invited to flag off the Health Day march to the clean-up venue. In her remarks, she thanked CUU for standing out and expressed her excitement towards the initiative which she acknowledged was in line with the Ministry of Health’s priorities to promote health among urban communities. "There is a clear relationship between Health, well-being of the population and economic development. To be healthy is to be responsible, to be responsible is to act right and to act right is to be healthy". She closed by advising universities to aim for evidence-based interventions such as these and informed that the Ministry of Health would like to partner with CUU during health promotions and activities.
Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary- Ministry of Health giving her opening remarks
CUU Senior Management poses for a photo with the Permanent Secretary-Ministry of Health (Dr. Diana Atwine), the Commissioner for Health services in charge of Health Promotions (Mr. Kabanda Richard) & some of the sponsors of the event
The Clean-up session saw CUU Management leading by example as they joined staff, students, community members, and well-wishers in cleaning the Kikubamutwe-kabalagala community. Despite the heavy down pour for the better half of the day, the community spirit of the participants was not deterred but rather reignited.
CUU students marching to the clean-up venue
CUU Senior Management & KCCA Executives leading the march to the clean-up venue
The afternoon session was led by Mr. Kabanda Richard, the Commissioner for Health services in charge of Health Promotions who represented the Permanent Secretary and Mr. David Mutabanura, the Executive Director-CUU. Among the prominent guests was, Mr. Anthony Bonnette, the Director Real Estates and Management-Maarifa Education.
During this session, a Health Camp was set up with several activities such as Blood Donation, Immunisation, Cervical Cancer Screening, HIV Testing, to mention but a few.
The day would not have been a great success if it wasn't for our sponsors who included; KCCA, Gold Insurance Company, Kadanke Brand House, A&M Executive Cleaning Co. Ltd, Toom Media, Bojoma Investments Ltd, AAR Insurance Company, Trust Security Company and Real Concepts Company.
The Community Health Day is intended to be a regular event and will subsequent to the Launch, be conducted thrice a year and rolled out to the other CUU campuses.
Mr. Anthony Bonnette, the Director Real Estates and Management-Maarifa Education.
CUU students, well-wishers and sponsors returning from the clean-up