Uganda

Project Goals:

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.
• Unblock the pipes in some of the building at the health centre
• Renovation of the health centre again through painting and plastering

Photo: Arrival and unpacking of medicine and supplies to 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 existing gaps during this reporting period.
• Two ward cleaners and two ground keepers sponsored by RMF are reported by Simon Opieto, in charge of Panyadoli Health Center, the grounds are groomed regularly and the cleanliness of the wards and offices is 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 maintain the center’s treatment capacity and overall reliability. 
• Due to the continued high levels of patient flow from the increased Ugandan IDP population another early resupply of medicine was coordinated using RMF/WCF funding in December.  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 all 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 and is now 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:

• During the month of October, 2,391 patients were treated at the health centre, out of which 815 were male, and 1,576 were female.
• During the month of November, 2,005 patients were treated at the health centre, out of which 696 were male, and 1,309 were female. 
• During the month of December, 1,693 patients were treated at the health centre, out of which 624 were male, and 1,069 were female. 
• During this reporting period, the health centre lost 3 patients due to severe illness, and leukemia.

Success Stories:

Amony Margaret, 47 years old, and a resident of the town of Bweyale (not a Refugee), was admitted to the health centre and diagnosed with a respiratory tract infection; she spent two days in the ward under medication and bed rest.  She was discharged shortly after completing a successful course of treatment.

Asoni Kutosi, 24 years old,and a resident of the town of Bweyale (not a Refugee), was admitted and diagnosed with dysentery.  His medication and treatment worked quickly and he was soon discharged in healthy condition.

Olweny Raymond, 9 years old, and a refugee resident of the settlement, was admitted and diagnosed with severe malaria and severe dehydration. After two days of treatment and recovering in the ward, he improved significantly and was discharged.

Amon Faith, 3 years old (pictured with her mother), and a resident refugee of the settlement, was admitted and diagnosed with severe malaria. Her medication was an IV of Quinine and Panadol, and she was soon discharged with full recovery from malaria.