Uganda: Panyadoli Healthcare Project
New Staff Recruited to Aid Refugee Crisis: Q3 2016
October 31, 2016
Naku Charles Lwanga
Summary of Activities
The population of the refugee community has increased lately due to push factors in refugees’ countries of origin, especially South Sudan. Push factors include violence, financial instability, famine, lack of reliable services, etc. According to UNHCR statistics, there have been 19,730 new South Sudanese arrivals in Kiryandongo between July 1, 2016 and September 25, 2016.
Despite the cease-fire discussions to end the South Sudan crisis, no agreement has been reached and fighting has continued. The implication of this is that more refugees will keep coming. This requires continuous and additional funding to provide services that will match the increased population of refugees. At the moment on average, we receive at least 50 new refugees per day.
During this quarter, 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 also procured and delivered sufficient cleaning supplies to help our hardworking staff keep the health centers clean.
Full Report
Results &
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Reliable Healthcare
Reduced Mortality Rate
Through RMF/WCF’s support, Panyadoli Health Centre III has become a reliable source of healthcare services to the community. As a result, death rates have been reduced significantly both in the refugee and host communities. We have continued to maintain the reliability of care by recruiting additional staff members to meet the needs of large numbers of newly arriving South Sudanese refugees.
HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing
Improved Confidence
HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) services were provided at Panyadoli Health Centre III. The ART clinics have been conducted every Wednesday, condoms have been distributed, and opportunistic infections properly managed with survivors assisted and supported. Communities have been sensitized on prevention, care, guarding against discrimination and stigma, and avoiding risky lifestyles that lead to the spread of HIV/AIDS. These services are conducted both at the static units and outreaches. The recruitment of an HIV/AIDS counselor has helped build confidence among the clients.
New Staff Recruited
Refugee Crisis Continues
RMF recruited more new staff members to handle the South Sudanese refugee influx, which started again in July with large numbers.
A massive recruitment for Yumbe and smaller recruitment for Kiryandongo were carried out to boost our existing staffing. The newly recruited staff members received uniforms, increasing RMF’s visibility in the camp. Having recruited two additional medical doctors has helped RMF reduce the number referrals. A majority of medical cases are now handled at Panyadoli Health Centre III.
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.
More
Photos
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Numbers
Served
23,077 patients were treated during the third quarter of 2016.
Success
Stories
Brenda Aweko
Age: 2 Months
Brenda lives in Cluster A with her mother. She was brought to the health facility when her breathing rate was low. Brenda also had no appetite and could not breastfeed properly. Her mother said it had taken time to realize that her child was having that difficulty. The doctor diagnosed Brenda with malnutrition after finding signs of edema. She was put on outpatient therapeutic treatment with Plumpy Nut (RUTF – Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food). After being given IV Quinine, IV Expense, and IV Setragon, Brenda started regaining her appetite so that she could begin eating.
Currently, Brenda is being helped by RMF’s VHT team to ensure that she is liberated from the malnutrition that had affected her. We thank RMF and their kind staff.
Sarah Nanjala
Age: 6 Months
Sarah was brought to the health facility with diarrhea and suspected malaria. The doctor diagnosed Sarah with malnutrition after finding signs of edema. She was put on outpatient therapeutic treatment with Plumpy Nut (RUTF – Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food). After being given IV Quinine, IV Expense, and IV Setragon, she improved and started breastfeeding. Malnutrition still remains the biggest health problem in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, and most children experience this because they lack a balanced diet. Sarah was also introduced to F75, F100, and a supplementary feeding program. This has produced great improvement in her life; she is able to breastfeed and her mother says that she is now improving.
"Thanks be to RMF to remember the poor," the woman said. “Under normal circumstance we are meant to buy F75 or F100, but a poor woman like me where would I get the money to buy, why not appreciate RMF for providing this,” she said and smiled.
Onene Jackson
Age: 3
Onene is a refugee from Cluster MR. After investigation by a laboratory technician, Onene was diagnosed with severe malaria and weight loss. For a young boy of his age, he had lost weight and was looking pale. After the diagnosis, Onene was immediately put on treatment by RMF’s doctor: IV Artesunate 60 mg 12 hourly for three doses, IV Gentamycin, and a Diclofenac injection. After a period of time, he showed great improvement. Due to their trip from South Sudan, Onene’s mother said the boy had lost weight and could not eat, which triggered his illness.
Onene recovered from his illness and through RMF’s VHT team, he has been well monitored to ensure that his health continues improving. May God bless RMF to support more and more people.
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Country Page: Uganda
Initiative Page: Panyadoli Healthcare Project
