By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has received a consignment of anti-malaria drugs from Bliss GVS Pharmaceuticals Ltd to bolster healthcare support in KCCA.
Dr. Sarah Zalwango, the Ag. Deputy Director, Public Health (manager medical services) received the consignment worth 35 million shillings on behalf of the ED, Frank Rusa Nyakaana. A diverse range of therapeutic products including anti-fungal, contraceptive, anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic medications were donated by Bliss GSV. The donation ceremony took place at the KCCA Head Office.
Dr. Zalwango said the donation will go a long way in improving maternal and child health care, and treatment of malaria one way of ensuring quality health services to communities within Kampala and surrounding districts.
“This donation is going to save us alot we have only eight public facilities (directly managed by KCCA) and the city has over 80% private facilities, so as the city we find ourselves overburdened of the workload […] Most times we find ourselves out of stock on these basic drugs,” Zalwango stated.
She highlighted some of the challenges faced by KCCA hospitals as drug shortages, inadequate human resource, infrastructure among others. She noted that the donation is set to alleviate some of these struggles by bridging the gap in medical supplies.
“This is a much needed consignment, we appreciate it and we commit to use the drugs to the purpose they have been given us and we offer free services,” said Zalwango.
Ramesh Reddy, the Bliss GSV Country Manager for Uganda said the donation is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts and underscores Bliss GVS’s commitment to Uganda’s healthcare sector.
“This latest contribution by Bliss GVS aims to support the health and well-being of Kampala’s residents, adding to the company’s long history of community-focused initiatives,” Ramesh said.
The Bliss GSV Supervisor for Kampala, Phionah Namugenyi, revealed that some of the anti-malaria products manufactured by the company, such as P-Alaxin and G-Sunate, offer protection against malaria for up to 90 days.
Previously, Bliss GVS donated UGX 70 million to the Uganda People’s Defense Air Force (UPDAF) and UGX 60 million to Uganda’s Ministry of Health.