Keddi Foundation over the past months has launched multiple initiatives to support people in need in different parts of the country, with a budget of up to $ 10 million.
Patients and pregnant mothers in the eastern district of Butebo might just have another chance at survival after a new fully equipped ambulance was donated to the district.
The ambulance was handed over to the residents on Saturday, August 2, at a function held at Kalalaka Primary School and attended by scores of local leaders and hundreds of residents.
Steven Keddi, a born of Butebo (formally Pallisa) district donated the ambulance.
Speaking to the locals, Mr Keddi said the donation was a fulfillment of his childhood dream of helping the people around him.
“Since childhood, I have had the dream of helping my people,” he said.
“I grew up in a poor environment and went to poor schools but I had the heart to give and I am always hurt to see people in need.”
At the event, Butebo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Paul Mwidu Kilikwani said the donation was a welcome intervention to the struggling local health system.
Butebo district, he said, has no hospital but a single Health Center 4, which serves people from within and and from the neighboring districts of Bukedea, Kibuku and Budaka.
“The only nearest referral is 34 kilometers from here. So if there is a need or an emergency for a mother to deliver; you have to look for either a bodaboda or a car for hire,” said the RDC.
“This generosity we hope will reduce the challenges of transportation for our patients and our mothers. We have had instances where mothers delivered on the way to the hospital, which puts their lives and their babies’ at risk.”
Jessica Mwigala, the Butebo District Councilor in charge of health and education, said many lives had been lost that could have been saved if it weren’t for the lack of transportation.
“Government should help us to ensure that every sub-county has HC3, to reduce that distance because it is too long, and for us as women, we tend to go into labor at night, and you find there are lots of homes without a motorcycle or even a bicycle,” she said.
The Ambulance was handed over to the Butebo DPC, to ensure that it is made available to whoever needs it.
Mr Keddi is also committed to ensuring that it is fueled at all times and has a driver on standby.
From Butebo Steven Keddi and his team went to Kibuuku district and rescued a boy Christopher Karyedi who was burnt by his father.
The Foundation will cater for his operation and education until he finishes university.