Care for All: Build a Mobile Clinic for Rural Gulu

As we celebrate World Malaria Day I reflect on what we have done to prevent malaria and the challenges parents go through.

I met her in the clinic when she brought her five weeks old baby. Neatly wrapped in a yellow sheet. Her first baby, it broke her heart to see the baby in pain. "He not breastfeeding well," she said, in a low tone. I could see the pain in her face. As we got talking she shared with me how much she loved her baby and that when it came to naming him. She searched for the best names until she settled for Lagum, meaning "the lucky one". 

I have had the honour to lead this organisation, and as a public health specialist, part of my work involves training volunteers and staff to reduce the disease burden- to fight malaria in the communities.  As I watched the staff working with the patients, I am proud to see the impact we have contributed in fighting this disease.

Last year's malaria epidemic in the region has made me think less and less about the children saved and more and more about the children that still need to be saved. Last year 162 people died of malaria in various health facilities in Northern Uganda and 22,873 case were registered. Sadly, most of those were children under 5 years old. To me, these numbers are so disturbing. However, I am still grateful that we manage to reduce the malaria mortality. 

Over the years we have spent much time working in preventing malaria, however, to me the most painful part is witnessing death in children.  The memories of one particularly has remained etched in my mind till this day.  

As a mother these memories have remained row. I keep thinking of the mother whose child had severe malaria, he was convulsing when they brought him in the clinic. With her hands over her head, her face was full of fear. She could hardly explain the child's' condition. I know the trouble she is going through as I have also nursed my own children. 

In the years we have worked in this community, we have touched the lives of thousands with malaria prevention efforts.  In our small ways we have lent a small but humble hand to the national scale bed net distribution campaigns. We have walked in the villages and tied up the bed nets for those that could not do it themselves. We go back and check that they are still using these bed nets or they need new ones.

We touch the communities everyday in ways big and small. In the villages we converse with the ladies and share with them simple ideas of how to reduce the breeding of mosquitos around their homes. We advice them on what to do once they feel sick. Its these simple conversations that make a difference in people lives.

For now I will continue working at teaching on the prevention of this disease. I will continue talking about what they should do to prevent from being bitten by the mosquitoes. I am thankful that with the tools we have managed to keep children safe under the bed nets at night with the insect treated mosquito nets, that the staff providing good and coordinated treatment that involves all the line health workers.

Malaria is real and yet its preventable. I thank you for what you have done so far in ensuring that we have the medicines to test and treat for malaria. The struggle is not yet over untit we eradicate malaria completely. It is possible.

Can you support this cause, please tell your friends.

Links:

• website

Dear friends this week is the world health workers week. 

We share with you some experiences of some of our health workers.

We were at Agung village, for an outreach when I got a phone call from the incharge Nurse Scovia, that I needed to return to the clinic to attend to an emergency.  We had already seen many clients and was told by the village Health volunteer that a group of people were on their way for treatment. 

She said it was a four year old girl. “ You should go, David,” my colleague said, voicing my thoughts.

So I quickly hoped onto a motorcycle (boda boda) and when I arrived, the young girl was already receiving the treatment we had to offer. We went outside to speak to the uncharge about her differential diagnosis, and plans to transfer her to another health centre once she stabilises. But while we spoke, I racked my brain to find something, anything that could help this poor child. But I knew that only one thing could save this little girl - prayers.

I approached the mother. I told her that her child was going to be well, because we are doing all that we could. I asked her if I could pray for her and her child. We held hands and went to our Father in prayer.

For a district that suffered many years of war, the region still grapples with social and economic challenges like child illness, illiteracy as well as unemployment. The problem of the chronic shortage of trained professional staff in the Karin healthcare facilities is still high.  This is the same case in the rest of the region and country. Only 38% of healthcare posts are filled in Uganda.  Those healthcare staff who are working, have little incentive to work in poor rural areas like Unyama. Some 70% of Ugandan doctors and 40% of nurses and midwives are based in urban areas, serving only 12% of the Ugandan population.

As I look at how far the Lord has brought us and the experiences and memories in Karin, I know I should not just take the case of this little girl lightly.  She was able to get medical help immediately when she arrived. This was not the case many years ago because of the civil war. 

It is again times like this that I am so thankful for where the Lord has placed me. Saving lives! Nursing has drawn me to do good and gain new skills. I have gained a lot of competence since I joined Karin Medical Centre, because through my times here, I find myself participating and relating to my patients and co-workers with humility and (I hope) patience. What I have realised is that we may not know this but we have a vocation. We have answered to the Lord’s call. 

Without the dedication and commitment of the health workers in this community, our goal to end preventable child and maternal death would be impossible.

Yet again, our work and partnership with you is just as valuable.

We thank you for all the support that you give to make our work easier.

Links:

• website