St Anthony Hospital rehabilitation fundraising dinner : Speaker Among underscores the linkage between Church, government

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt.Hon. Anita Among has hailed the Catholic Church for the significant and illustrious contribution towards uplifting communities in areas of social services.

The speaker made the remarks during a fundraising dinner organized by the Tororo Archdiocese for the rehabilitation of St Anthony Hospital Tororo at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Thursday, where she was guest of honor.

At the event , attended by several dignitaries , over sh100million was raised in cash, and another close to sh100 million in pledges.

‘’The linkage between the Church and government in supporting our communities to bridge education and health services provision gaps cannot be overstated. It is, perhaps, one of the most significant relationships that continue to cement the bond between the people and the Church, as it manifests itself directly in their struggles for socio-economic development and human capital development’’, said Among.

She added that  is the same philosophy which compels the Legislature to stand shoulder to shoulder with all faith-based academic and medical institutions as they play a significant role in complementing the government’s efforts in those sectors.

‘’Moreover, their costs, unlike some players in the typical private sector, are not necessarily motivated by the calculus of profit, but by egalitarian undertakings – with the ultimate intention of improving the welfare of God’s people’’, she said.

The speaker added that to this end, the Catholic Church has made a significant and illustrious contribution towards uplifting communities in areas of social services, and now also in financial inclusion through, for instance, Centenary Bank, the totality of which is the improvement of the social welfare and standing of especially the ordinary Ugandans.

‘’This is the background that is necessary to provide proper context to the current efforts to fundraise for the rehabilitation of St. Anthony hospital, Tororo. Let me be clear, provision of health services is one in which there is always room for more players, given the growing needs of the population for medical services’’, she further noted.

She said this requires all individuals with capacity, and most especially institutions such as the Church, to fully participate in investing in those areas to create an upsurge in the provision of health services, which is a critical component conducive to the production of a population capable of meeting the growing demands of the 21st century.

‘’The efforts to fundraise for such a noble cause, therefore, is our turn as people raised by the Church spiritually, healthcare-wise and educationally – to contribute and build the muscle of the Church in supporting the next generation of citizens so that they can meaningfully contribute to the transformation of their country. In giving and supporting worthy causes, it should be noted that what is important is never the quantity, but a giving heart will invite the blessings of God, however little the offer may be’’, remarked the speaker.

The Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Anthony Okoth Ndira said full refurbishment and upgrading of facilities will help it realize one of its objectives   to become Eastern Uganda’s first fully fledged university teaching hospital. He added that such a development would provide the much needed specialized services for the people in the catchment area.

The SAHT board is chaired by Fr Michael Korinding, with other members being Dr. Ojony Joa Jackeno (Vice Chairman), Godfrey Muhwezi, Fr. Zachary Oburu, Dr. Proscovia Arach, Rose Akello, Harriet Adrama, Peter Olwoch, MP Hon Ochai Max and Dr. Okoth Anthony Ndira (Secretary).

St Anthony Hospital is a 100-bed facility that was built in the early 60s by the Franciscan Sisters. It is a Private notfor-Profit (PnfP) institution belonging to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tororo under the Trusteeship of the Archbishop of Tororo.

The hospital, according to Dr Okoth, has a catchment population of 145,000.