Uganda

Project Background:

The Panyadoli Health Center, located at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Bweyale, Uganda, provides healthcare services to over 60,000 in the region including 41,000 Ugandan IDPs, Bududa survivors, and Refugees from Kenya, Sudan, Congo, Burundi and Rwanda which are the main target population; we saw an influx of 10,000 new Ugandan IDPs in October 2010 and another 15,000 joined the Kiryandongo Resettlement Camp at the end of May 2011.

In 2009, Real Medicine Foundation in collaboration with UNHCR and the Office of Prime Minister initiated a center-wide upgrade to restore the function of the center to best practice western medical standards. Since then we have completed many building and service upgrades and continue to resupply medicine and medical supplies to the clinic every month.

Project 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

Photo: Medicine and supplies arrive at the Panyadoli Clinic

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

• RMF provided the Panyadoli Health Center with medicines and medical supplies, and covered all existing gaps during this reporting period.
• Three ward cleaners and two ground keepers sponsored by RMF groomed the grounds regularly and made sure the cleanliness of the wards and offices was well maintained. 
• Continued maintenance of water pipes and solar pump installation.

Results and/or accomplishments achieved during this reporting period: 

• The coordination of medicine supply to the health center continues to make a significant difference to the community and maintains the center’s treatment capacity and overall reliability.
• Due to the continued high levels of patient flow from the increased Ugandan IDP population the medicine consumption is high, and the inflation costs also continue to drive the costs of medicine and supplies higher.
• The wards are kept clean, and equipped with medicines and supplies; this is a joint effort of RMF, the Kiryandongo local government, and the UNHCR. 
• The grounds are continuously cleaned and maintained, making it safe to walk around without fear of being bitten by snakes.
• The Solar Powered Water Pump is continuing to run successfully, providing clean running water to the clinic wards and offices which greatly increases hygienic conditions of the clinic.

Number served/number of direct project beneficiaries: 

A total of 5,852 patients were treated during the Second Quarter of 2012, up from 4,286 in the First Quarter. 

• During the month of April: 1,412 patients were treated at the health center, of which 532 were male and 880 were female.
• During the month of May: 1,807 patients were treated at the health center, of which 674 were male and 1,133 were female. 
• During the month of June: 2,633 patients were treated at the health center, of which 1,014 were male and 1,619 were female. 
• No deaths were reported at the clinic during the Second Quarter.

Success Stories:

Nyambura Dorcus, 18 years old and a refugee living in cluster B, was diagnosed with severe malaria. Her treatment was based on the following drugs; IV Quinine 600mg, Amoxicillin 2 times 3/7, Piriton 5/7, Paracetamol 1g for 5/7.  She was treated and recovered to full health.

Ngamese Florence, 28 years old and a refugee living in cluster N, was diagnosed at Panyadoli clinic with pneumonia. Her treatment was based on:  IV Ampicillin- 1g, IV Gentamycin- 160mg for three days, IV Diclofenac in 75mg, and multivitamins.  She was treated successfully and discharged from the clinic.

Akello Eunice,13 years old and a refugee living in cluster K, came to Panyadoli with symptoms of severe malaria. The treatment was: IV Quinine- 450mg in 5% dextrose every eight hours for three doses, and oral Paracetamol.  She recovered over the course of a week and was discharged in full health.

Katusimime Doreen, a 25 year old mother and a Ugandan national living in the neighboring Bweyale Township. Katusimime was diagnosed with severe malaria in late pregnancy. Her treatment was based on: IV Quinine times three doses, Quinine tablets 600mg TDS. She recovered and soon gave birth to a baby boy and both of them were healthy and discharged from the clinic.

Ojok Henry, seven years old and a refugee resident of cluster N, was diagnosed with severe malaria.  His treatment was based on Ringer lactate (RIL) 500mls, ORS++,Tab Coartem, and Panadol.  His mother was very happy because she was able to find the right drugs at the health centre and the child responded quickly and recovered to full health.

Achire Charles, 40 years old and a resident of ranch 18, was diagnosed with pneumonia. His treatment was based on IV expense 2MV, Amoxycillin, Panadol, and Multivitamins.  He says that over the past few years at the camp, he has lived to see great change at the health center graduating from a half dose clinic to giving pain killers and full doses of malaria treatment.  He had heard but could not believe his eyes when it happened to him, that Panyadoli can put someone on a medicine drip with the correct full dose.