Uganda: Panyadoli Healthcare Project
Panyadoli Health Centre: Q2 2016
July 31, 2016
Naku Charles Lwanga
Summary of Activities
- RMF procured and delivered sufficient medications and medical supplies to the Panyadoli Health Centres.
- RMF procured and delivered sufficient cleaning supplies to help our hardworking staff keep the health centers clean.
- RMF recruited two new staff members to replace the team members that left during the previous quarter.
- 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.
- HIV and 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.
- Timely payment of staff salaries and wages, payee (taxes), and national social security funds.
Growing Need
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.
Full Report
Results &
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Quality of Life
Building Trust
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 behavior among refugees.
Outreach
Regular Visits
RMF took an integrated outreach approach with services covering:
- immunization,
- HCT,
- ANC,
- deworming,
- condom distribution,
- health education (including vital information on other cross cutting issues like gender based violence)
These outreaches have been planned in regular visits to established sites by an integrated team of qualified staff with a clear work plan.
Training
Detection and Prevention
Various capacity-building activities were undertaken as planned. Most training sessions were planned through direct implementation by UNHCR, with RMF making considerable, successful efforts to fast track implementation. Community health promoters’ (VHTs) training in disease surveillance and prevention are invaluable at a time when there are outbreaks of epidemics in the world like Ebola in West Africa. As a result, one of the trained VHTs was able to detect a suspected case of polio in Magamaga.
Meeting Needs
Utilizing Local Resources
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,
- therapy,
- 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.
HIV/AIDS Counseling
Reducing Stigma
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
- 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 counsellor has helped build confidence among the clients in need of HCT services at the health facility and outreach sessions.
Community Engagement
Promoting Harmony
Community health promoters were trained on disease surveillance and prevention and their roles, while an assessment of the training needs for the Health Unit Management Committee members has been undertaken.
Because of the improved healthcare services that RMF/WCF has facilitated, the community is healthier, and thus engages in productive activities, especially farming. A number of families are producing food and vegetables to supplement the food rations provided by WFP.
Since the health and other services supported by RMF cater to both the refugee and host community, this has promoted peaceful coexistence.
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
Click to enlarge
Numbers
Served
19,391 patients were treated during the second quarter of 2016.
8,474 male patients and 10,919 female patients.
23 deaths were reported at the clinics during this quarter. The causes of death were anemia, HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, pneumonia, liver failure, and one case of post-abortion complications.
Success
Stories
Marvin Mungujakisa
Severe Malaria
Marvin Mungujakisa is a two-and-a-half-year-old boy. Marvin had symptoms of malaria, and after investigation by laboratory technicians, he was diagnosed with severe malaria and being underweight. After the diagnosis, he was immediately put on treatment based on the following drugs:
- IV Artesunate 60 mg 12 hourly for three doses,
- IV Gentamycin, and
- Diclofenac injection.
Children of Marvin’s age worldwide have many similar problems, often complicated or caused by the lack of a balanced diet. Since most of these children eat only one meal a day, this affects them severely. Marvin has greatly improved with his continuous treatment and medication; he has gained weight and is now playing with his peers in the neighboring community.
Sylivia Ayomoroth
Malnutrition
Sylivia is a 3-year-old girl. She was brought to the health facility with severe malaria and vomiting. We found that the girl was poorly fed and did not get enough breast milk since her mother was not producing enough breast milk. The doctor diagnosed Sylivia with malnutrition after finding signs of swelling in her stomach and face. Sylivia was put on outpatient therapeutic treatment Plumpy Nut (RUTF – Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food). After being given IV Quinine, IV Expense, and IV Setragon, she improved and started breastfeeding. Sylivia was also introduced to F75, F100 with a positive response. She has improved and can now play with her peers; a thing that Sylivia could not do before. Looking at the picture, one would think she was a one-year-old.
Yusuf Bisiku
Severe Malaria and Underweight
Yusuf Bisiku is a three-and-a-half-year-old boy. He is a refugee from Cluster G. Yusuf had symptoms of malaria and he was vomiting. After investigation by laboratory technicians, he was diagnosed with severe malaria and being underweight. He looked like a much younger child. After the diagnosis, Yusuf was immediately put on treatment based on the following drugs:
- IV Artesunate 60mg 12 hourly for three doses,
- IV Gentamaciline, and
- Diclofenac injection.
Due to their flight from South Sudan, Yusuf’s mother said they did not have enough food, and they survived on water and biscuits and some food begged from well-wishers they found along the way. The whereabouts of Yusuf’s father are unknown, but there is a high chance that he perished in the war.
Yusuf continued with his medication and has greatly improved; he has gained weight and is now playing with his friends. Yusuf has a future thanks to RMF’s work in the settlement and also thanks to the VHT system that has been able to constantly monitor and encourage the community to go to health facilities for treatment.
Scovia Jakoma
Malnutrition
Scovia is a 9-month-old girl who lives in Cluster B with her family. She was brought to the health facility coughing and vomiting. Her mother said that life has not been easy and they cannot afford a balanced diet. The doctor diagnosed Scovia with malnutrition, after finding signs of swelling in her stomach. Scovia 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, Scovia began showing improvement with time, and the excitement of her mother was evident when she visited.
RMF also provided some foods that the mother will keep cooking for Scovia so as to boost her immunity.
More Reports on: Panyadoli Healthcare Project Archive
Country Page: Uganda
Initiative Page: Panyadoli Healthcare Project
