Moroto regional referral hospital is championing environmental conservation, as the facility embarks on a tree planting drive.

In a drive that was launched over the weekend, the hospital intends to plant about 1200 fruit trees as well as other trees.

The hospital senior executive consultant/director, Dr. Stephen Pande says the move is aimed at mitigating effects of climate change, environmental degradation and the malnutrition burden in Moroto.

Dr. Pande noted that all the mentioned factors contribute to the deplorable burden of diseases in the whole region.

While officiating over the event, Moroto deputy RDC Justine Tuko called for the initiative to be extended to the village level so that tree coverage is all over the district and the region a large.

Tuko argues that the gospel of tree planting has been well taken in urban areas and as such, the message should be taken to the communities in villages.

In an event being supported by the Rotary E-club of Naguru, speaker after speaker re-echoed for the effective implementation of presidential order number three, which forbids cutting down of trees for commercial burning of charcoal.

The exercise drew participants including security agencies, religious, political and cultural leaders as well as staff of the hospital.