In this post I wanted to give you an update on our Medical Mission.
Unlike the previous years, emphasis under the medical programme in 2015 shifted from rotational clinics to the static health clinic – Nana Health Centre. UCSS has however continued to support community members who need to access specialized treatment from referral hospitals. A cost sharing arrangement was introduced, where community members are being encouraged to contribute a minimal fee towards their treatment; as many still cannot afford to fully pay for the services and also as a gesture of ownership of the project. In the previous years, the community was not very receptive to this arrangement but with sensitization, they have come to appreciate the purpose and are increasingly cooperative.
Here is an overview of our key achievements, challenges, and plans for this year:
Achievements
- Full-time medical services are being offered at Nana Health Centre, including nighttime emergency services due to the presence of an in-house nurse.
- Many more lives have continued to be saved this year, by the end of September 2015, 5082 patients had been seen and treated. Miriam’s life was saved after being treated of an abdominal bleeding. Lovisa, who suffered from Hypertension was also at the edge of dying if UCSS had not intervened among others.
- One Nursing Assistant, one nurse attend to the patients during day & night shifts. A Medical Clinical Officer who visits on a weekly basis may be called upon in case of emergencies.
- UCSS is supporting 14 students for medical training; 1 clinical officer, 2 enrolled nurses and 11 Nursing Assistants. The 11 Nursing Assistants will be graduating in December 2015. They are currently distributed among clinics in the urban centres to gain some experience. Upon completion of their studies, they will return to serve in the current and the next community. This will help to reduce the problem of insufficient staff.
- Government takeover of the medical clinic is in progress. The necessary documentation has been submitted to the district offices and we await notification from them to proceed to the ministry of health for further negotiations; we hope to complete the process by June 2016.
- There has been an improvement on the quality of life of the people, healthwise. Sensitization drives on issues like sanitation & hygiene, primary health care, family planning have played a big role in reducing illnesses and deaths, from an average of 1 deaths a day in 2011 to 1 death per week in 2015.
Challenges
- We have not had the funds to acquire any medical equipment and the drug supply is still inadequate.
- Our lighting is inadequate to properly see patients after sun-down.
Future Plans
- Affect the turnover of the medical clinic to the government sometime in the latter half of 2016.
- Begin offering mobile clinics in the new community of Buluya like we did in Bulike. We do have plans to also build a medical clinic in Buluya, which is slated to begin in 2017 depending on funding.
If God is moving you to support this ministry, there are three things you can do now:
- Make a donation
- Request to have me speak to your church or group
- Ask how you can get involved.
Thank you so much for all of your support. May the good Lord continue to bless you abundantly.
Blessings,