"The members of the 13th medical mission organized by the African-Hungarian Union (AHU) have successfully arrived in Uganda.
On 5 April they have landed in Entebbe Airport, and then traveled to the HTCC (Hungarian Trade and Cultural Center) house in Kampala. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't, but the locals were enthusiastic about them. On the second they of their stay patients were already knocking on their doors. Dr. Zsofia Kapi, ear, nose and throat specialist's expertise was needed in several cases and Dr. Zita Bagdi treated symptoms related to colds. The doctors arrived with Attila Gaspar, paramedic and Bernadett Kovacs, AHU coordinator and Daniel Kovacs, volunteer. They start their work officially on Thursday in the Buganda Kingdom.
They have listened to the experience and advice of previous medical mission attendees with great attention and took notice of the high prevalence of diseases. Contrary to Hungary, they have to expect widespread malaria, lots of joint problems, deformed feet, worm infections, malnutrition, ulcers, patients with AIDS or special skin diseases like leprosy as well.
The doctors used their first "day-off" to take a tour to the capital, look at the craft market, the parliament building, the liberation memorial and physically and mentally charge up for the volunteer work starting early in the next day. By morning we expected a large crowd to gather after they heard of the white healers, since people need all the help they can get in this country. Unfortunately, deprivation of medical care is continually taking human lives here in the heart of Africa, so we appreciate their selfless help, because everyone deserves a chance.
In Uganda there are only 10 doctors for every 1 million citizens and there is no adequate institutional framework or necessary healing tools, and in the vast majority of cases you have to pay for health care. This is terrible, and in addition the most vulnerable group are the children and young mothers. The African-Hungarian Union had 12 volunteer medical missions with nearly forty Hungarian doctors and health professionals, nearly 30 000 patients in many countries in the continent of Africa: Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Mali, Malawi and here in the Pearl of Africa as well. We hope that with this mission we can multiply the number of patients we can treat."
Mónika L. Novák, 6 April 2016