By Mulengera Reporters
National Medical Stores (NMS) is planning fresh attempt to offer free Yellow Fever Vaccination to hundreds of Ugandans after their 2 days offer during the Service Excellence Exhibition at Kololo proved to be a drop in the ocean.
The entity was among the government MDAs the Finance Minister Matia Kasaija required to be at Kololo to give back to society and also showcase their accomplishments for the previous FY.
Like they did last year, NMS management decided to offer free Yellow Fever vaccination to people without asking them to pay even a penny. This saved beneficiaries Shs150,000 which might seem modest but a fortune for many people mostly young graduates that remain unemployed.
The numbers overwhelmed NMS and as of Thursday when the offer closed, thousands remained unserved at the Kololo pavilion where the vaccination was taking place. NMS General Manager Moses Kamabare says they are saddened the limited resources they had didn’t permit them to do more which is why they are going to improvise and announce a new program for the free vaccination exercise to continue at Namboole stadium where last year over 90,000 got vaccinated.
Kamabare says the new date will be announced to enable many more Ugandans to benefit from the offer. Yellow Fever Vaccination isn’t offered on the routine vaccination schedule available at public medical facilities yet the resultant yellow fever vaccination card is of extreme importance especially for those seeking to travel abroad.
Many young graduates fall in this category because they keep hoping for job opportunities especially in the Middle Eastern countries and having that card is mandatory because countries don’t want to risk letting in someone that might be susceptible to this rare but very complex viral condition.
Indeed having written about the Kololo offer earlier in the week, Mulengera News got so many phone calls from citizens seeking clarification whether the offer was still available at the Kololo exhibition. This prompted us to ring GM Kamabare who clarified there will be a resumption in the not-so-very distant future. (For comments, call, text or whatsapp us on 0703164755).
