MASAKA.
Proprietors of Masaka Transitory Nursing School for people with disabilities have expressed concerns about the high cost of medical services.
The centre which takes care of several groups of individuals with physical disabilities, spinal injuries, cerebral palsy among other disabilities cried out for urgent attention citing lack of economic support which affects access to health care.
St. Vincent Palloti Transitory Nursing Home located at Kitovu in Luvule Parish in Masaka District, takes care of over 715 people, but because of limited resources they can only accommodate 21 children.
According to Sr. Maria Sylivia Nassaka ,the in charge of the home, other than balanced diet and special meals they have to offer to the children they house at the centre they have to get them specialists that have to offer various medical services which she says is costly.
She explains that children require specialists ranging from speech therapists, orthopedics, physiotherapists, and psychiatrists among others which she says have to assess the progress of the children on a weekly basis.
“Every time a specialist visits the home has to be given a transport refund of not less than Shs 100,000, and sometimes some children miss getting a specialist because the centre has no funds to facilitate the specialist which is heartbreaking and we need good Samaritans to come to our rescue.” She added.
Sr Nassaka said that the home also requires several assistive devices including mobility wheelchairs, walkers, canes, hearing aids, communication aids and beddings among other items and to get them ,they have to conduct fundraising drives in prayer places among other places since the centre does not have a stable source of income.
She raised the need for supporting the home while receiving several food items, and other items from members of Lions Club of Masaka that paid a courtesy visit to the transitory nursing home on Friday.
Mr Emmanuel Ssenyonga , the president of Lions Club of Masaka said they have decided to give a helping hand to the centre as one of the activities the Lions Club has organised ahead of the launching of the new Lions Club of Greater Masaka.
He said the home requires more support calling upon other Good Samaritans to come up and support the home so that the children can be rehabilitated and become self-reliant citizens in the future.
“We have been informed that children are coming from different homes of needy people, that also requires support so however that has nothing come to rescue of the children since, parents the would-be providers of these children can’t do enough to support t them. ” he added.
Fr Vincent Nanseera , President of Greater Masaka Lions Club applauded the work done by the home asking the government to consider supporting such centres since they play a critical role in the development of people living with disabilities and supporting needy children in the country.