Uganda: Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement Project

Young Heart Patient Recovering from Successful Surgery

August 24, 2017

Alphonse Mwanamwolho

RMF Uganda would like to thank you for all your kind support to our young heart patient, Patricia Biira. Today, August 24, 2017, she has been discharged from the Uganda Heart Institute after her successful surgery on Wednesday, August 16, 2017. The surgeons have assured us that Patricia is in a stable condition and she will gradually heal from the post-surgery pain. Patricia has started standing and walking on her own, and she can smile and laugh. 

Patricia was born with holes in her heart, which prevented her from growing and developing normally. Her mother is a housewife and her father is a primary school teacher. Before receiving help from Real Medicine Foundation, they sold everything they had, including a piece of land, to preserve Patricia’s life, but even that was not enough to pay for services at the Uganda Heart Institute. When RMF learned about Patricia’s situation in 2016, we agreed to cover expenses for her treatment at the Uganda Heart Institute. With treatment, Patricia has gradually improved, and thanks to RMF’s support, she underwent heart surgery on August 16, 2017 as a durable solution to her illness. 

Patricia’s parents are thankful to RMF beyond what words can express, and RMF is grateful to the Uganda Heart Institute for every special consideration they offered to our young patient. We also thank our donors, whose support made Patricia’s treatment and surgery possible. 

Patricia is now 3 years and 4 months old, and after recovering from the surgery, she will join school. It is our goal to support Patricia’s education so that she is empowered to contribute to the wellbeing of others when she grows up. Please contact RMF to donate towards Patricia’s education and medical check-ups, which still require funding. Patricia’s next check-up will be on September 21, 2017. We wish her a quick recovery. 

 

Background

The Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Bweyale, Uganda, is a UNHCR managed refugee settlement that provides shelter, land, and support for more than 100,000 people. They are comprised of refugees from Kenya, DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan. RMF has partnered with UNHCR in supporting Kiryandango Refugee Settlement, the surrounding community of Bweyale, and the greater Kiryandongo District (an additional 266,197 people) with health care, education, and vocational training since 2008.

Objectives

  • To serve as a health care implementation partner with the UNHCR and Ugandan Government
  • To provide health care services to over 100,000 refugees and persons in the community via the Panyadoli Health Centres
  • To provide skills training for South Sudanese refugees to enable them to become self-reliant