Although accurate and timely health information has been proven to lead to earlier medical interventions, reduced financial exploitation, health-positive behavioural change as well as decreased sickness and death, Uganda continues to post one of the worst indices according to experts.
For example; studies indicate that 8 in 10 caregivers (parents) do not know the two key symptoms of childhood pneumonia – the largest cause of death for children under five. 4 in 10 mothers believe that they should withhold fluids if their baby develops diarrhoea; about one-half of Ugandan pregnant women do not know that bleeding is an obstetric danger sign with the World Health Organisation (WHO) stating that only 35 per cent of Ugandan pregnant women are “birth prepared’.
Nearly two-thirds of Ugandans believe that using family planning methods is a cause of cancer of the cervix -the commonest cancer in Uganda while 9 out of 10 Ugandan adults do not believe having a large belly causes diabetes, and so much more.
To bridge this information and knowledge gap, MedXpo Africa Events has organised the country’s first-ever medical expo scheduled to run from September 7-9, 2023, where over 50 hospitals and healthcare institutions and professionals are set to interact directly with potential clients and customers.
According to Dr Daniel Tumwine the founder and curator of the medical expo, the three-day event will be structured to provide for; multiple thematic plenary, workshop, training, and private consult sessions involving distinguished medical specialists in over 20 fields, knowledge cafés with reputable healthcare individuals, hospitals, and other health institutions to e.create awareness of health conditions, management options available in Uganda and/or abroad, networking breakfasts, a free screening of common health conditions such as diabetes and their complications, stroke, heart health, eye and ear pathology and hypertension, mental health, nutrition and child and adult development assessments for autism, cerebral palsy, and other neurodevelopmental conditions, and so much more.
“Provision of accurate and timely health information has been shown to lead to decreased sickness and death. However, only a small percentage of Ugandans have access to accurate, relevant, objective, clear, timely, complete, and concise medical information. This lack of health information translates to lack of disease prevention, delayed access to healthcare, financial exploitation, the perpetuation of medical myths as well as poor medical outcomes including death or lifelong disability,” he Tumwine.
Source: The Observer
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