Uganda: Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement Project

Young Heart Patient to Receive Surgery

August 14, 2017

Alphonse Mwanamwolho

Uganda Initiative Reports

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Patricia Biira is a 3-year-old girl from the village of Kitholhu in the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda. She was born with holes in her heart, which prevented her from growing and developing normally. Before receiving help from Real Medicine Foundation, Patricia’s parents struggled with her illness to the extent of selling their only piece of land, but even that was not enough to access treatment for their daughter at the Uganda Heart Institute. Patricia’s parents became depressed as they watched their child struggle. In 2016, they desperately requested RMF’s support, which was granted. Patricia was enrolled for care at the Uganda Heart Institute under the sponsorship of RMF. Since 2016, when she started receiving care, Patricia has been improving gradually. She has grown and begun to talk, walk, feed herself, and play with peers.

Today, August 14, 2017, cardiologists at the Uganda Heart Institute have decided to operate on Patricia’s heart as a durable solution to her illness. Patricia has been admitted, and she will undergo surgery on Wednesday, August 16, 2017. RMF will cover the full cost of Patricia’s operation.

Please keep Patricia and her family in your thoughts as she undergoes surgery, and consider donating to support her treatment. We are thankful for your kind support!

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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