Uganda: Panyadoli Healthcare Project

Increased Health Facility Utilization Rate: Q4 2016

March 31, 2017

Naku Charles Lwanga, Alphonse Mwanamwolho, and Deanna Boulard

Summary of Activities
  • RMF procured and delivered sufficient medications and medical supplies to the Panyadoli Health Centres. A much larger amount of medications and supplies was procured this quarter, as we received so many new South Sudanese arrivals.
  • RMF procured and delivered sufficient cleaning supplies to help our hardworking staff keep the health centers clean.
  • RMF recruited more new staff members to handle the South Sudanese refugee influx, which started again in July with large numbers. We also recruited new staff for the Nyakadot Health Centre II.
  • Continuous medical education (CMEs) were fully carried out during the quarter.
  • Medical outreaches were conducted as planned.
  • Medical screening of new refugees at Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement was effectively performed during the reporting period.
  • Construction of the Maternity ward expansion and Minor Operating Theatre continued to progress.
  • HIV/AIDS campaigns have been conducted and as result, many clients have turned up for testing and care.
  • Continued maintenance of water pipes and solar pump.
  • Facilitated UNHCR and partners’ coordination meetings both in the settlement and regional offices, helping to promote cohesiveness in operations.
  • Salaries, wages, and top-up allowances for all staff members were paid in a timely manner.
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Results &

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Increased Health Facility Utilization

Better Health-Seeking Behaviors

There has been a general improvement in quality of life among the population served; the increase in the number of staff members in all health facilities has added tremendous value to health services, and the establishment of the Health Clinic at the Reception Centre has reduced overcrowding at Panyadoli Health Centres II and III. Because of these factors, the health facility utilization rate has increased, with changed health seeking behaviors among refugees.

Financially Supporting Patients

Medicines and Services Available

During the reporting period, continued efforts were made to ensure that drugs were locally procured for patients with illnesses for which drugs were not available in the stores. Other services like ultrasound examinations and therapy and x-ray services were provided; these services are not readily available at either Kiryandongo Hospital or Gulu Hospital, which are the nearest referral points. However, these services were made available by supporting patients financially to access such services at the offices of private medical practitioners.

Safe Motherhood

Seeing Hope

Availability of skilled midwives has increased ANC services at both health facilities; overall, mothers are now seeing hope in delivering at a health facility instead of at home. Women are increasingly choosing to deliver at the health centers, which has added greatly to safe motherhood in the community.

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Background

& Objectives

Background

The Panyadoli Health Centres, located in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement near Bweyale, Uganda, provide healthcare services to over 100,000 refugees from Kenya, South Sudan, DR Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda, as well as members of the host community.

Objectives

  • Provide medicine, medical supplies, and medical support
  • Support the Health Management Information System Maintenance (staff and petrol supply)
  • Maintain hygiene at clinic to Best Practice Western Medicine standards
  • Enhance existing structures for Malnutrition ward and main center
  • Provide cooking materials such as charcoal stoves, saucepans, utensils, etc.
  • Upkeep and renovation of the health center through periodic re-painting and re-plastering.
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Numbers

Served

20,330 patients were treated during the fourth quarter of 2016

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Success

Stories

Juliet Natanga

Age: 7 months

Juliet’s mother brought her to the health center. Juliet was in a bad condition and vomiting. The doctor diagnosed her and she was put on treatment. Juliet is now improving and there is hope for her successful recovery. She was given IV X-Pen and Gentamicin. She was also put on outpatient therapeutic treatment. She improved and started breastfeeding. Juliet is among the many children that face this problem in the community, as it estimated that children her age are vulnerable to malnutrition because of the lack of a balanced diet. Because of the hunger that hits such communities all the time, mothers lack enough breast milk to give their young ones.

Juliet was also introduced to F75, F100, and a supplementary feeding program that has helped improve her health as she is able to breastfeed. Juliet’s caregiver appreciates RMF for such wonderful services and the attention given to her.

Gift Ann Khanakwa

Age: 2 years

Gift Ann Khanakwa spent three days at Panyadoli Health Centre III. She had diarrhea, a fever, and she was vomiting. Ann was brought to the facility with a low appetite, and she could not breastfeed properly. She was diagnosed with malnutrition after showing signs of swelling. Ann was put on outpatient therapeutic treatment and Plumpy Nut (RUTF – Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food). After being given IV Quinine, IV Expense, and IV Setragon, Ann started regaining her appetite so that she could eat something.

Bridget Katusabe

Age: 2 years

Bridget Katusabe was brought to the health center with a swollen body, fever, and vomiting. Bridget is a national from Bweyale. She was diagnosed with severe malaria. After the diagnosis, Bridget was immediately put on treatment by the doctor: IV Artesunate 60 mg 12 hourly for three doses, IV Gentamicin, Diclofenac injection. After a given period of time, she showed great improvement. Through RMF’s VHT system, cases like Bridget’s have been handled and hope has been restored to families.