WORD OF THANKS AND APPRECIATION FROM NORTHERN UGANDA - BY Dr. Julian Atim

Dear All

I am happy to take this opportunity of extending my sincere thank to you all and to the Uganda North American Medical Society for inviting me to speak at their 2nd Annual Scientific Conference. This took place at Sheraton Gateway Hotel Atlanta, on the 19th and 20th of May 2007. Thanks to Dr Buwembo , I am now a full member of UNAMS. I am indebted by the kindness that they showed by sponsoring my travel fare from Uganda and back. This gave me the opportunity to share the challenges faced in control of HIV/AIDS in rural Uganda and the plight of the underserved people of Northern Uganda .

I work at St. Joseph’s Hospital Kitgum situated in Northern Uganda and serving tens of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), in the region. St. Joseph ’s Hospital is a 350 bed facility with a comprehensive HIV/AIDS care clinic and out patient facility receiving an average of 150 patients per day. The hospital also averages about 50 hospital admissions daily. The major causes of death and ill health are (a) Malaria (b) AIDS (c) Obstetric and Gynecological complications (d) Respiratory tract infections (e) Trauma. All these would be preventable given better supplies and medical equipment for accurate diagnosis and care. This has been one of the most frustrating challenges to health care workers in the region.

This region has been under civil strive by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Due to the conflict, people were forced to live in crowded camps, leading to increased morbidity and mortality from preventable causes. The conflict has led to the total breakdown of all systems, including health care infrastructure. As a result of the on-going peace talks between the Government of Uganda and the LRA there is prevailing peace and for the first time in 21 years we are hopeful this peace is sustainable.

During my stay in Georgia, I with Dr Frank Matovu, Dr Nabangi and Dr Kadoko of Uganda American Development Coalition (UGADEC), UNAA-Atlanta, and Ugandan North American Medical Society (UNAMS) had the great opportunity of touring Medshare International warehouse in Decatur, Georgia. We met the Executive Director, Mrs. Nell Diallo , with whom we discussed the logistics of shipping donated medical supplies and equipment to St. Joseph’s Hospital, in Kitgum. All that is needed is $10,000.00 and the first $1.00 can be from you. Don’t hesitate to be the hope and healing to the people in northern Uganda. Together we can make a difference as we rehabilitate Northern Uganda. Inability to do everything will not stop us from doing the something that we can.

An account has been opened with Medshare International so you will send your contribution directly. Special thanks go to all the Conference organizers and to Dr Frank Matovu and Dr Sarah Matovu with whom I have been living as one of their own during my stay in Georgia.
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Dr. Julian Atim, MBChB (MUK)
+256-782-777- 291
P.O BOX 40308
Nakawa, Kampala
UGANDA