Camille Newbern Committee Chair
Purpose: San Diego Rotary, working with the Alliance For African Assistance, as well as Rotarians from other Rotary Clubs around the world, came together to fund and build a new hospital in Atiak, Uganda. The hospital became operational in early 2020 and will serve the needs of the local population, as well as over 1 million refugees that have settled in the area when they fled the violence in South Sudan. Atiak is only a few miles from South Sudan, and the refugees have taken refuge in the area. The nearest hospital is 40 miles away in the town of Gulu, and the local citizens do not have the means to make the trip for care. To illustrate the need, during one “pop-up” clinic that was held in the Fall of 2019, over 5,000 people came for medical treatment for a variety of ailments including HIV/Aids, Malaria and Tuberculosis.
Led by our Club, a Rotary International Global Grant funded over $300,000 in equipment for the hospital. We are in the midst of funding an additional grant for another $200,000 for solar power and other equipment.
Why join: This committee will play a key role in future funding, as well as other support and involvement to make the hospital a viable long-term project for the people of Atiak. Click here for an inspiring video about the Atiak Hospital
