Uganda: Healthcare Implementing Partner for UNHCR at Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement

April Update

Project Background

In mid-2014, RMF signed a tripartite agreement with UNHCR and the Government of Uganda to implement a health project  aimed at addressing the two main goals of emergency operations and care/maintenance of 24,722 (20,269 new caseload and 4,453 old caseload) refugees and asylum seekers in the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement through the delivery of quality healthcare services.  The project has since grown to benefit 35,664 refugees (according to UNHCR December 2015 Statistics). It is also recorded that over 10,000 nationals living within and in the vicinity of the settlement continue to benefit from the project.  New arrivals continue to be received and screened by RMF health workers on a daily basis.

Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement has a total of three health centers which includes; Panyadoli Health Center III, Panyadoli Hills Health Center II and Reception Center (Health Center II). The Refugee Settlement also receives services from other partners that bridge the gaps in health service delivery. For instance community services, environment and livelihood programs are implemented by InterAid-Uganda; Danish Refugee Council (DRC) for WASH and livelihood; International Rescue Committee (IRC) providing reproductive health services; TPO for mental health; Samaritan Purse-food distribution in collaboration with WFP; ACF and Concern Worldwide for nutrition; Windle Trust for education; AIRD for logistics. UNHCR and the Office of Prime Minister (OPM) conduct oversight function including ensuring that activities are planned coordinated and reviewed on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis through coordination meetings chaired by OPM at settlement

Photo: RMF ambulance and the medical team providing medical services at a way station in Lugazi while escorting a convoy of Kenyan Returnees returning to Kenya

April Medical Consultations

A total of 2,690 (1,861 Panyadoli H/C III, 214 Reception Center, 615 Panyadoli Hills Health Center II) medical consultations were carried out by RMF's medical staff in April.

Inpatient Admissions

• A total of 211 inpatient admissions were registered during the month.
• 28 male ward (20 refugees, 8 National)
• 49 Female Ward (30 refugees, 19 Nationals)
• 21 Pediatric ward (11 Refugees, 10 Nationals)
• 113 Maternity ward (49 Refugees, 64 Nationals)

Referrals

A total of 46 (12 Nationals, 34 Refugees) referrals were conducted during the month

ANC consultations

• 409 (118 Refugees, 291 Nationals) ANC consultations were registered during the month
• Panyadoli H/C III registered 333 (114 Refugees, 219 Nationals)
• Panyadoli Hills H/C II registered 76 (4 refugees, 72 Nationals)
• 113 (49 Refugees, 64 Nationals) admissions were registered at maternity ward during the month at Panyadoli Health center III for both ante-natal and antenatal services.
• A total of 82 Deliveries (37 Refugees, 45 Nationals) were carried out by skilled health workers:  Panyadoli Health Center III 74 (34 Refugees, 40 Nationals) and   Panyadoli Hills H/C II registered 6 (4 Refugees, 2 Nationals) deliveries
• RMF and IRC are currently supporting implementation of Reproductive Health services at Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement.

Other notable activities

• A total of 166 new arrivals were screened and registered at Reception Centre during the month of April
• RMF conducted community health activities during the voluntary repatriation of Kenyan Refugees; a total of 880 refugees underwent medical screening as of the 30^th April 2015. Among these 19 were found with chronic illness, had their files documented and handed over to the medical team in Kenya, and 2 were not recommended for travel based medical grounds
• RMF participated in cervical cancer screening during the cancer week, from all the clients screened 4 tested positive. The Reproductive Health Uganda – Gulu branch has been contacted for confirmatory tests and the process of referral has been initiated.
• Additionally RMF set up an information tent for cervical cancer during celebrations to mark World Cancer Day held in Kiryandongo District, complimentary services like HIV/AIDs counselling and testing were conducted during the cancer day as well with 76 clients counselled, tested and result provided, all were negative
• The process of recruiting the additional staff was conducted and 1 head of finance/administration, 1 finance/administration officer, 1 pharmacy assistant, 1 HIV/AIDs counsellor, 1 nurse counsellor pediatrics and 1 community health assistant have been recruited to provide services to the PoC.
• A total of 4 community integrated outreaches were conducted during the month covering immunizations, ANC, family planning, HCT and health talks.

Vaccinations

A total of 638 (345 Refugees and 293 Nationals) were vaccinated in April at both static and community outreaches covering BCG, Polio, DPT and Measles at Panyadoli Health Center. 

Challenges

The health center still lacks adequate power supply, apart from the maternity ward, other wards are on solar supply which is frequently down. There is need to conduct an assessment for solar installation under UNHCR Direct implementation.