They need medication that will be subsidized to UGX10,000 per month as opposed to nearly UGX 200,000 that they would have spent.
Upon close observation, the World Health Organisation found that most deaths from the coronavirus are from those with underlying health conditions. With each passing day, it was evident that people living with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and older people are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.
With this in mind, Sanctuary Medical Foundation, a Not-for-Profit organisation that focuses on sensitising people about Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs) launched a fundraising drive to prevent deaths among patients. Their focus, for now, is the vulnerable and economically poor population in Uganda.
They are doing this by conducting activities that raise awareness about NCDs, running free medical camps around the country for screening and testing NCDs, and provision of subsidized medical care for patients. Sadly, they have found themselves short of funds to do the needed testing and provide medication. Their goal is to ensure proper management of patients with NCDs in case they catch coronavirus.
“Due to the uncertainty and financial strain this coronavirus situation is causing, we are aiming at raising money for patients under our care to be able to access their medication for the next six months,” they explained. They made a call to any individuals willing to help patients who have found themselves choosing between food and medication during the lockdown.
Many of the foundation’s patients are hypertensive, diabetic, and sometimes both. They need medication that will be subsidized to UGX10,000 per month as opposed to nearly UGX 200,000 that they would have spent. They ended by emphasizing the fact that unlike general belief, Non-Communicable Diseases affect the less fortunate just as much as they do the rich. Sadly, for the less fortunate, should COVID-19 strike, it might find them unable to fend off the disease known to kill those battling poor health.
By CivSource Team