Medical Camp in Zombo Draws Thousands Ahead of Museveni's Visit

Medical Camp in Zombo Draws Thousands Ahead of Museveni's Visit

By Mike Rwothomio, 

ZOMBO: Over 1,000 patients from the Greater Nebbi region, including Pakwach, Nebbi, Zombo, and Nebbi Municipality, converged at Warr Health Centre IV and Warr Islamic Health Centre II for a large-scale medical camp initiated by renowned ophthalmologist Dr. Amos Nyathirombo. 

The camp, launched on June 16, 2025, serves as a prelude to a thanksgiving ceremony honoring Dr. Nyathirombo’s contributions to eye care and public health, scheduled for June 20, 2025, with President Yoweri Museveni expected to attend.

Purpose and Scope of the Medical Camp

The medical camp, organized as a community outreach effort, aims to provide free medical services to underserved populations grappling with various health conditions, particularly ocular disorders. 

Dr. Nyathirombo, a distinguished figure in Uganda’s medical community, emphasized the initiative’s goal of “giving back to the community and underprivileged” by addressing preventable and treatable conditions.

 The camp features a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including ophthalmologists, gynecologists, pediatricians, and audiologists, offering services ranging from eye screenings to treatments for gynecological and pediatric conditions.

The Uganda Ministry of Health reports that approximately 2.5 million Ugandans suffer from moderate to severe visual impairments, with 150,000 (0.4%) classified as completely blind. Cataracts account for 57.1% of blindness cases, while uncorrected refractive errors are the leading cause of visual impairment. Trachoma, a bacterial infection causing blindness, has historically been a public health concern but is now largely controlled due to interventions like those led by Dr. Nyathirombo.

Camp Operations and Impact

At Warr Islamic Health Centre II, ophthalmologists are addressing a high volume of patients with eye conditions, while other specialists focus on pediatric and auditory issues. 

By midday on June 16, Dr. Nyathirombo reported personally attending to over 10 patients of the over 500, identifying 10 cases of preventable blindness. “These individuals have reversible blindness,” he stated. “With surgical intervention , they could regain their sight by tomorrow.” 

The medical team includes professionals from Bukedea, Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, Life Care Health Facility in Arua, and Nyapea Hospital, alongside 10 former Muni University students volunteering their services.

 Despite the robust response, Dr. Nyathirombo noted a critical shortage of medications, stating, “The medicines we brought are depleted, yet we’ve only treated a fraction of those in need.” He appealed for support to provide food and essentials for the medical team to sustain the effort.

Patient Experiences and Benefits

The camp has provided life-changing interventions for many.

 Patrick Bikadhu Othuma, Zombo’s senior education officer, received spectacles to address reading difficulties caused by refractive errors.

 “I can now see clearly,” he said, highlighting the immediate impact of the services. 

Florence from Ajei Central Village sought relief for a sensation of “sand in her eyes,” a common symptom of conditions like dry eye syndrome or conjunctivitis, expressing hope for restored vision. 

Sara Rachid from Atyenda Central Village attended for chronic chest complications, optimistic that the camp’s services would address her condition.

Medical camps like this one bridge critical gaps in Uganda’s healthcare system, where the doctor-to-patient ratio is 1:25,725, far below the World Health Organization’s recommended 1:1,000. With only 41 ophthalmologists serving Uganda’s over 40 million people, 26 based in Kampala, rural areas rely heavily on such outreach programs. 

These camps enhance access to specialized care, reduce the burden of preventable blindness, and increase community trust in healthcare facilities.

According to the Ministry of Health, cataracts, trachoma, and uncorrected refractive errors are the leading causes of visual impairment in Uganda. A 2018 report indicated that 170,000 Ugandans are blind due to cataracts, with 34,000 new cases annually.

 In refugee populations, such as those in Adjumani camps, the prevalence of blindness is alarmingly high at 20%, with cataracts (42%), xerophthalmia (28%), and trachoma (21%) as primary causes. These conditions are largely preventable or treatable through timely interventions, underscoring the importance of medical camps.

Dr. Nyathirombo’s Legacy

Dr. Nyathirombo’s contributions extend beyond the camp. His research on Moxidectin, approved by the FDA in 2018 for treating river blindness (onchocerciasis), has positioned him as a global leader in public health.

 His work in Uganda’s Trachoma Control Programme led to significant policy shifts, securing WHO support for nationwide treatment distribution, effectively eliminating trachoma as a public health issue.

 Honored with the Diamond Jubilee Medal on March 8, 2025, Dr. Nyathirombo continues to mentor students at Gulu University and provide free sight-saving surgeries across Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Looking Ahead

The medical camp and upcoming thanksgiving event at Ukemu Primary School highlight the transformative power of community-driven healthcare initiatives. 

Dr. Benson Oloya, a lecturer at Muni University, also the Chairperson COC for the Thanksgiving ceremony of Dr. Amos Nyathirombo, underscored the importance of comprehensive stakeholder support to ensure the camp’s success in delivering quality healthcare.

As Zombo prepares to welcome President Museveni and international guests, the focus remains on expanding access to eye care and inspiring future generations of healthcare professionals. 

Dr. Nyathirombo urged residents of Greater Nebbi and West Nile to attend the June 20 event, themed “Service with Sacrifice, Dedication, and Passion,” to celebrate these achievements and advocate for continued investment in public health.