Nigeria

Background:

Real Medicine Foundation, supported by World Children’s Fund, has partnered with the Kwara State Ministry of Health, the Nigerian Youth Service Corps and the Gure Gwassoro Ward Development Committee to support the previously abandoned Gure Model Health Center. Situated near the Nigeria/Benin Republic border, the clinic is the only access to healthcare for a population of 154,376 in the Baruteen Local Government Area and its surrounding towns. Patients even cross the border from the Benin Republic to seek treatment at the clinic.  Nigeria has the 4th lowest survival rate of children under five out of 191 countries, a child mortality rate of 140 per 1,000, and a maternal mortality rate accounting for 10% of the global burden of maternal deaths.  

Project Objectives:

• Human capacity building and upgrade of the clinic for better health care delivery
• Provide regular medicines and medical supplies to the clinic
• Provide support to existing medical Personnel
• Investigate solar electrical supply
• Borehole for drinking water and water to clinic
• Review urgent needs to increase the quantity of patients treated and quality of treatment
• Prepare larger project quotes for capacity improvement (solar power/ borehole drilling)

Summary of RMF/WCF-sponsored activities carried out during the reporting period under each project objective: 

• Treatment of patients at the clinic, focusing on Malaria, Maternal Child care, and prenatal care and observation
• Maternal and Child Health trainings and outreach being conducted for new mothers
• Immunization of Newborns
• Treatment of Malnutrition cases in village outreach
• Provision of Medical Laboratory services
• Continued purchase and delivery of medicines and medical supplies
• Provision of Dental care services for patients in the community

Results and/or accomplishments achieved during this reporting period:

• Patient numbers continue to be high with the regular supply of medicine, supplies and lab reagents resulting in an average of 583 per week.
• A total of 7,001 patients were treated at the clinic during the First Quarter. 2,345 patients were children aged 5 and under.
• Weekly immunizations are being conducted.
• Basic Laboratory Reagents/Facilities:  Basic laboratory tests are being conducted in the clinic to facilitate better health care delivery versus the previous referral to Ilorin.

Number served/number of direct project beneficiaries:

7,001 patients were treated at the clinic during the First Quarter of 2013.

Success Stories & Patient Photos: 

By Salau Rotimi

CASE 1:

A six month old child from Kuburufu Village, a distance of 18 kilometers from Gure, presented at the clinic with a history of 5 days of fever, 3 days of cough and difficulty breathing, and 3 days with a mouth ulcer. On examination the child exhibited the following: febrile (T- 38.5oC), redness of the eyes, anicteric, acyanotic, mild flaring of ala nasi, ulcer of the lower lip, rashes all over the body (more at the trunk but with origin from the scalp), mildly dehydrated, with no pedal edema or paleness. Respiratory system examination revealed basal crepitations on both lungs. 

An assessment of Malaria and Acute Plasmodiasis were made and the child was admitted to the clinic for 2 weeks of treatment and observation and discharged after being clinically stable. The parents thanked the managing team for saving their child’s life and also thanked Real Medicine Foundation.

CASE 2:

A 45 year old man was brought to the clinic from Yashikira, a town 11 kilometers from the Gure Clinic, with complaints of 10 episodes of passing watery stool and 5 episodes of vomiting over a 3 day duration. On examination the following symptoms were observed: acutely ill looking, sweating excessively, not pale, afebrile, anicteric, acyanotic, severely dehydrated, no pedal edema, and cold clammy extremities. His cardiovascular system showed a pulse rate of 60/min, and blood pressure was 70/50.  All other systems are normal.

He was admitted, treated and quick resuscitated, being discharged a week later when he was clinically stable. The patient and his family member were grateful to RMF.

CASE 3:

A one year old child from Kosubosu, a town 6 kilometers from Gure, was brought to the clinic with complaints of a 4 day fever, and 2 days of generalized body weakness. On examination, the following symptoms were observed: acutely ill looking, severely pale, febrile (T- 40oC), anicteric, acyanotic, mildly dehydrated, and no pedal edema. 

An assessment of Anemia secondary to Malaria was made. PCV, grouping and cross matching, Malaria parasite (MP) test and Widal tests were administered. The child was transfused with fresh blood and other necessary treatments for Malaria were given. She was discharged one week later when clinically stable.

CASE 4:

A 4 old girl was brought to the clinic with complaints of rashes all over the body for four days, and a fever lasting two days. On examination, the following symptoms were observed: the child was febrile (T- 39.50C), not pale, redness of both eyes with creamy discharge, anicteric, acyanotic, rashes all over the body (more at the trunk), mildly dehydrated, and no pedal edema. 

An assessment of Measles was made and she was admitted for fourteen days of treatment and observation, and discharged clinically stable. The mother was also given health education on a balanced diet and personal hygiene.

CASE 5:

A 36 year old woman at an estimated gestational age of 28 weeks from the Palowo Area in Gure town, presented at the clinic with a history of 3 days of fever with chills and 2 days of headache.

On examination: febrile (T- 38.2oC), not pale, anicteric, acyanotic, not dehydrated, no pedal edema. Abdomen: symphysiofundal height –Twenty Eight weeks. Fetal Heart sound – heard and regular. An assessment of Malaria was made and the patient was treated and given a follow up appointment three days later.