Uganda: Panyadoli Healthcare Project

Wagutwa Elinesty

Wagutwa Elinesty, is 44 years old and lives outside of the settlement in a nearby town, came to the clinic with chest pain, a bloody cough and general body weakness and was diagnosed with severe respiratory tract infection. He was treated successfully with IV ampicillin 1g every 6 hours for five days, im Diclofnac 75mg every 8 hours for 3 doses, tablet ibuprofen ii for 3 doses.

He narrates:

“I am very happy to be near this Kiryandongo settlement for one reason that the health standard of the population around has improved through Panyadoli health centre and this has supported our community through the outreaches the health centre staffs do carryout weekly. Because of these outreaches, communities have improved their sanitation levels and that is why you can see me the only one admitted on the male ward. However this does not mean that my household sanitation is poor, sickness has no time table for anybody. I just thank the implementers and donors who have made this facility to be without inequality, whether you are a national or a refugee, the same services are given and may these services continue for the benefit of the nation.”

Elinesty spent three days in Panyadoli health centre before he was discharged and his condition improved as confirmed by the recent outreach to his home by our support staff. In Uganda, especially this season (months of December to March) the temperature are very hot during daytime and very cold in the morning hours, with high winds bringing unhealthy dust to the community. There have been many patients diagnosed with respiratory tract infections recently and we are hoping that bacterial conjunctivitis does not emerge.

Kamami

Kamami, is 75 years old and a resident of Kiryandongo in settlement 18, 22 kilometers away from Panyadoli health centre came to the clinic with a serious cough and was diagnosed with a severe respiratory tract infection. Her treatment was on IV Ampicilin 500mg every 6 hours for 5 doses, Gentamycine 80mg OD for 5 doses, tablets Panadol for 3 doses.

She narrates: “Since I came to Kiryandongo settlement in 2008, I have always been treated from Panyadoli health centre with services and help with drugs, clothing ,shoes , and more. I never imagined being in a foreign country then you find a parents like RMF who have cuddled me from the start of a refugee life, indeed God makes a way where seems not to be way am now comfortable living in Uganda because I/my sons would have to spend a lot of money on frequent treatment as you can see me aged ,in Kenya. I ALWAYS SAY, GOD BLESS THE HANDS THAT GIVE (RMF).”

Ajok Monica

Ajok Monica, is 28 years old and a resident of the California Zone outside of Buwate town, visited the clinic and was confirmed to have severe malaria after laboratory testing as well as signs and symptoms of a severe respiratory tract infection. Her treatment was: IV ceftrasone 1gm OD for 5 doses, Tablets coatem 4 bd for 3 doses, Panadol 1g tds for 3 doses.

In spite being of being closer to the district hospital, Monica made her mind to trek on foot 9 kilometers to Panyadoli health centre III.

She narrates: "Whenever I am admitted in this facility, I have hope of getting better faster not only due to availability of drugs but also due to communication linkages since I do interact with the clinical officers and nurses freely and they are able to understand my sickness very well unlike district hospital where communication gap is too much and workers tend to speak almost 90% local language of their origin and this hinder free communication from the patient’s heart."

In Panyadoli health centre, we have three major languages, which are English as official language of the country, followed by Kiswahili as is believed to be spoken almost by 80%, and Luo since the majority in the settlement and the IDPs around and even the host communities speak Luo.

Above all we have support staff that at times translate/interpret so as to bring a patient and health workers better communication regarding the symptoms and diagnoses.