Uganda: Panyadoli Healthcare Project

101 Pregnant Women Served: Q1 2019

June 13, 2019

Naku Charles Lwanga

Summary of Activities
  • 49 patients were transported to various referral facilities for rehabilitation.
  • Follow-ups were conducted for 96 beneficiaries to ensure adherence to treatment plans and track recovery progress.
  • A draft of the physical master plan for Panyadoli Health Centre III was created, and the final plan will be released soon.
  • 129 clients with hearing impairments were screened and counseled both by phone and in person by a team of specialists from Gulu.
  • Integrated services that benefit both refugees and the host community were continuously provided.
  • Carried out Continuous Medical Education (CME) sessions for all medical and support staff at the health facilities, so that team members keep sharing and increasing their knowledge.
  • The health facility was maintained and cleaned, ensuring that the compound, wards, offices, common areas, and the entire facility are hygienic and conducive to healing and working.
  • Panyadoli Health Centre III was ranked the best in the country in utilizing the GeneXpert machine for TB detection.
  • In partnership with the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), ART clinic staff members were given additional training on HIV/AIDS management and also continued to conduct follow-ups in order to reduce the number of untracked patients.
  • The solar-powered water pump is continuing to run successfully, providing clean running water to the clinic wards and offices and greatly increasing hygienic conditions of the clinics.
  • Medical screening of new refugees at Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement was effectively performed during the reporting period.
  • During this reporting period, RMF continued to improve reproductive health services. For instance, antenatal care and attendance were recorded at 88, which is progress towards the UNHCR expected standard of 100.
  • A 50-kV generator was delivered to Panyadoli Health Centre III with funding from UNHCR, and we look forward to its installation.
  • Conducted nutrition assessment, counseling, and support training for people living with HIV/TB.
  • Weight-for-height, door-to-door nutrition screenings were conducted both in the settlement and the host community.
  • The Mental Health department continues to register great success and now has client load of 298. Among these, 58 clients were newly enrolled. During the reporting period, 8 mental health patients were referred to Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital.
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Results &

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Promoting Safe Motherhood

101 Pregnant Women Supported

This quarter, 101 pregnant women (10 nationals and 91 refugees) were mapped in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. Village Health Teams (VHTs) continued to support them in accessing maternal health services by referring them to health facilities and conducting follow-ups.

Previously, expectant mothers were reluctant to give birth at a health facility. With the availability of skilled midwives and ANC services, however, women are increasingly choosing to deliver at the health centers, which has added greatly to safe motherhood in the community.

Items Procured

New Supplies and Materials

RMF delivered our monthly consignments of essential medicines and other supplies to supplement those provided by the UNHCR and Kiryandongo District’s local government. RMF also provided 2 nebulizer machines.

25 handwashing facilities, 30 waste bins, and 10 sterilizers were procured with Ebola prevention funds. Panyadoli Health Centre III received 2 pharmaceutical refrigerators, which will enhance storage of vaccines and other cold chain medicines.

Supporting Nutrition

Food Distribution and Education

We carried out General Food Distribution sensitization, which reached 1,200 individuals. As over 66% of beneficiaries are buying their own food, there is a budding need to disseminate knowledge on wise food choices.

We have also been able to empower the people to engage in agriculture through the use of the demonstration gardens. As a result, a number of families are producing food and vegetables to supplement the food rations provided by WFP, while others are starting small businesses.

Medical Rehabilitation

Caring for Victims of War

94 patients affected by war violence were transported for medical rehabilitation. 25 were male, 67 were female, and 2 were gender nonconforming. These clients have shown improved psychological wellbeing and self-confidence, as well as gaining confidence in support services, building resilience, and gaining hope for a better life. 75% of clients who accessed these medical services have improved their health status and are able to function in their daily lives.

Continuing Immunizations

Successful Campaign Completed

The Multi-Antigen Campaign was conducted, the first of its kind, focusing mainly on polio (bOPV) and measles vaccines, but also covering other immunizations, such as pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). The campaign was successfully carried out in multiple phases, and the second phase was completed February 22–25, 2019.

Immunization coverage was maintained at a high rate. Overall, immunization coverage stands at 132.1%, which is well above the acceptable standards.

Continuing Healthcare Education

25 Health Professionals Trained

A total of 25 health professionals were trained on maternal and child health and nutrition (MCHN). Two trainings were conducted: one on nutrition in emergencies and one on infant and young child feeding (IYCF). The aim was to enrich health workers’ knowledge on the management of malnutrition.

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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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More

Photos

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Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
Real Medicine Foundation - more photos.
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Numbers

Served

Outpatients Assessed and Treated

Quarterly Total

18,324

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Success

Stories

4-year-old Mary Nabutit

Mary Nabutit

4-year-old girl

Mary Nabutit is a 4-year-old girl and a Ugandan IDP who had been on antiretroviral therapy (ART) to manage her HIV. However, she went off treatment for a year due to her mother not want to continue her treatment. Mary was identified by RMF team members, who were following up on lost clients during one of the integrated outreaches in the Panyadoli Hills community. She was found to be severely malnourished with a high viral load. Mary was reinitiated on ART and treated for severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Within four months, she had recovered and her viral load was suppressed. Mary is now strong, back on her feet and able play with her friends. Her mother was counseled, and she is now adhering strictly to ART treatment.

5-year-old Par Nyariak

Par Nyariak

5-year-old girl

Par Nyariak is a 5-year-old South Sudanese girl who sustained a head injury when she was hit by motorcycle while playing beside the road. She was brought to Panyadoli Health Centre III semi-conscious and with multiple cut wounds on her body. She was treated and monitored in the Inpatient department for 5 days. During a follow-up after one month, Par was stable and of sound mind. This is was all thanks to the RMF team that was available to attend to her immediately and prevent further damage after her injury.

Sharon and her baby at Panyadoli Health Centre III

Sharon

24-year-old woman

Sharon, a 24-year-old woman, was at 35 weeks of her first pregnancy when she arrived at the health center with signs of malaria. She was tested, and on the third day of her treatment for severe malaria, she developed labor pains. Sharon was monitored for 8 hours at Panyadoli Health Centre III but later referred to Kiryandongo Hospital because she had developed signs of obstructed labor. In Kiryandongo Hospital, she underwent an emergency cesarean section, and both mother and child were saved. Sharon is now bringing the baby for immunization at Panyadoli Health Centre III.

Sunday Muguriek

Sunday Muguriek

43-year-old woman

Sunday Muguriek is a 43-year-old Ugandan woman who was admitted in a coma, with diabetic ketoacidosis. She was treated with insulin and IV fluids and responded within 12 hours. Sunday was discharged after three days and started on oral hypoglycemics, and she is now stable with well-controlled blood sugar levels. She regularly comes in for check-ups and refills of her medication at Panyadoli Health Centre III.