Prudential Assurance Uganda LTD, one of the leading health insurance providers in Uganda has launched the fourth edition of the ‘Omutima Gwo’ campaign.
This campaign is aimed at creating awareness on heart health with a focus on prevention, detection, treatment, and reversal of heart-related diseases.
Speaking at the launch, Arjun Mallik Regional CEO, Prudential East, and Central Africa explained the benefits of having a healthy heart.
He said good health is a key component of our daily lives. A collective effort towards better awareness and lifestyle is the best investment.
“As a business, promoting wellness within communities where we operate is important to us. Whether it’s spreading awareness around mental health or cardiovascular health, Prudential remains committed to improving lives. By sponsoring the Omutima Gwo campaign for four years we have impacted positively the lives of 12 million Ugandans with the information they need on prevention, detection, treatment, and reversal of heart-related diseases,’’ Arjun said.
The first launch of the Omutima Gwo campaign happened in 2018 and has since become an annual event. They held two heart camps so far, in 2018 and 2019. These gave over 5000 Ugandans the opportunity to have their hearts checked for free.
Due to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, they will not hold a heart camp this year. Instead, IMC will provide free heart health assessments and check-ups including Body Mass Index, Electrocardiography, and Echocardiography for free.
These will be provided at the IMC clinics IDC, Kololo, Wandegeya, Namirembe Rd, Entebbe RD, Mukono, Gulu, and Mbale, on appointment.
As part of the campaign, partner media houses run a public health campaign to create awareness on heart. This will include the running of heart health tips and a couple of media interviews with renowned medical experts who will speak into heart health with focus on prevention, detection, treatment, and reversal of heart related diseases
Uganda is still endemic for Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), the most common cause of preventable acquired disease in children and young adults. It is estimated that 300,000 school children in Uganda have Rheumatic Heart Disease. This data reflects an urgent need for countries to establish cost-effective public health programs aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk through modifiable behaviours.