By Mulengera Reporters
In a decisive step towards continuing its commitment to accessible and affordable treatment for children with disabilities, Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services in Uganda (CoRSU) this week launched the Annual CoRSU Walk under the theme, “Bring hope to children with disability.” The walk aims to raise UGX 400,000,000 to fund life-changing surgeries for 300 children, procure critical medical equipment and renovate the hospital’s Outpatient Department.
The launch event brought together key stakeholders, corporate partners, media representatives, and community members, united in advancing disability inclusion and supporting specialised rehabilitative services for children from impoverished households.
Speaking at the press conference, Bakidde Aloysius, Board Chairperson for the CoRSU Walk Committee at CoRSU, expressed appreciation for the collective effort that brought the initiative to life. He said, “Last year’s walk was nothing short of extraordinary. The energy was palpable, the spirit of giving was infectious, and the results were truly life-changing. We managed to raise over UGX 78 million, and with those funds, we were able to provide at least 16 children with the surgeries they desperately needed.”
“We also procured some essential physiotherapy equipment and expanded our rehabilitation services. The impact was felt both in the hospital wards and in the homes and communities of every child we helped. The smiles we saw and the parents’ tears of relief are memories that fuel our mission every single day,” he added.
Robert Ochai, CEO of CoRSU Walk, welcomed the collaboration and support, highlighting, ” The annual CoRSU Walk demands that we act, invest, and become the bridge between despair and possibility. Since its founding in 2006, CoRSU Hospital has stood on the belief that disability must never mean inability. That belief has shaped every decision we have made and every service we have offered. In just over a decade, we have carried out more than 70,000 life-changing surgeries for children and rehabilitated over 100,000 patients.”
Statistics from the 2014 Uganda National Population and Housing Census highlight that 12.5% of Uganda’s population lives with some form of disability, with 92% of disability cases related to treatable conditions. Importantly, 80% of disabilities among children could be addressed if specialised services were more accessible and affordable. Over the last three years, CoRSU has performed an average of 5,246 surgical procedures and 12,500 therapy sessions annually, with a primary focus on children, who account for 80% of surgeries.
To join this fundraising campaign, participants and supporters can send their contributions to CoRSU via MTN Mobile Money, Paybill Code: 599 393, or Airtel Money Paybill: 4369 188 registered under CoRSU Hospital. For enquiries about participating in the walk or purchasing event kits, the CoRSU Customer Care team is available on 0761-002111 or 0761-002157.
About CoRSU Hospital
Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services for People with Disability in Uganda, known as CoRSU Hospital, is a specialized rehabilitation hospital established in 2006 as a private, not-for-profit, non-governmental organization. CoRSU’s core mandate is to mitigate the debilitating effects of disabling physical conditions by ensuring the accessibility and availability of quality preventative, curative, and rehabilitative services for persons with disabilities in Uganda and neighboring countries. Over the past 19 years, CoRSU has transformed the lives of over 70,000 children through surgical services and rehabilitated more than 100,000 patients across multiple disciplines.
