joze uganda

Today, I had the privilege of witnessing the official delivery and launch of lifesaving neonatal equipment at Rukoki General Hospital through a Rotary Global Grant implemented by @Rotary_Snowpeak in partnership with the Rotary Club of @WinchRotary, United Kingdom. This project is a testament to what Rotary can achieve through collaboration, commitment, and Service Above Self. The @Rotary_Snowpeak has been a long-standing partner of Rukoki. Their journey with this facility began when it was still a Health Centre, and through years of dedicated service and advocacy, they have played a significant role in supporting its growth into the General Hospital it is today. Their unwavering commitment to the community is both inspiring and commendable. Following a comprehensive needs assessment conducted together with our international partners—many of whom are medical professionals—it became evident that the hospital's greatest need was its neonatal unit. Despite handling a large number of critically ill newborns every year, the unit had been operating with limited equipment. During the 2025–2026 financial year alone, the neonatal unit admitted 1,230 newborns, including 183 babies weighing between 0.6 and 1.9 kilograms. These figures highlight both the immense burden on the facility and the urgent need to strengthen neonatal care. In response, the @Rotary_Snowpeak and @WinchRotary successfully secured a Rotary Global Grant worth UGX 129 million. Through this grant, the hospital has received five infant incubators, three patient monitors, two syringe pumps, one CPAP machine, one oxygen concentrator, one phototherapy machine, one infant warmer, eight baby cots, and rolling stands for the patient monitors. They have also constructed a waiting area for the same and are set to build a kitchen for the hospital to serve the patients staff. These are far more than pieces of medical equipment. They represent hope for vulnerable newborns, reassurance for families, and a stronger healthcare system for the people of Kasese. I congratulate the @Rotary_Snowpeak and @WinchRotary, our international partners at the Rotary Club of Winchester, the hospital leadership, and all the healthcare workers whose dedication has made this milestone possible. This project perfectly demonstrates Rotary's commitment to the Maternal and Child Health. It reminds us that when Rotarians work together across borders, we can create sustainable solutions that save lives and transform communities. #KilaMtuAwajibike.