Support 100 children access assistive devices

INTRODUCTION:

In this reporting period, we are excited to report about the community outreach clinics in Kamuli Districts under our Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID) project. These outreach clinics increase access to low-cost and quality community rehabilitation care services including the utilization of assistive Devices. 4 community outreach clinics were carried out in this reporting period (March to June) in the sub-counties of Butansi and Nabwigulu aiming at early identification and intervention to improve the rehabilitation care outcomes.

This CBID project also strengthens community structures like the Health facilities to enhance rehabilitation services' sustainability. for example, working with Health workers in different health facilities increases their capacity to manage disability-related cases 

2. OUTREACH CLINIC ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

The team behind the Outreach Clinics: the outreach clinics were carried out jointly by a team of 4 staff from our organization including a CBR worker, a Physiotherapist, an Occupational Therapist, and the MEAL officer together with 2 staff (a comprehensive nurse and psychiatric nurse) from Kamuli District Hospital and 2 staff (a community Development officer and a Village Health Team (VHT)) from Kamuli District Local Government.  

Venue: The outreach clinics were conducted in the community Health Facilities (Nabwigulu Health Center III and Butansi Health Center III) this was aimed at building the capacities of the Health workers in these Health Centers to continue reviewing the children seen and those not seen in during the clinics.

The following activities were carried out:

1. Community mobilization; was done by the Village Health Team (VHT and the District Community Development Officer (CDO) who are staff of Kamuli district local Government. Mobilization was done using the local Radios, and door-to-door outreach.  

2. Community sensitization: this was carried out by Our CBR officer and the

District Community Development officer. The activity involved educating the community about childhood disability to increase knowledge in disability and rehabilitation care among caregivers and communities aimed at demystifying beliefs related to disabilities and building capacities of caregivers to counteract challenges posed by disability. The discussion tackled types of disabilities, causes, and possible ways of prevention and management. The community was educated about the importance of early identification and interventions; the community referral pathways for early identification and interventions were also discussed. A total of 173 people (68 males and 105 females) were sensitized.

3. Assessment and Interventions 

150 children (86 males and 64 females) were assessed in the 4 outreach clinics organized to ascertain rehabilitation and other Health needs. Children who presented with only clinical health issues not disabilities were referred to Kamuli District Hospital for management while those with disabilities were managed by our team depending on their individual needs.

Based on the assessment, children with disabilities received various services as indicated below;

• Provision of Therapeutic Services:

Our team provided a range of therapeutic services to 101 children including Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and psychological support to children during these outreach clinics aimed at improving functions and coping skills. Therapists worked hand in hand with caregivers educating them on how to continue with therapies in their Homes and manage other concerns.

• Measurement and fitting of Children with disabilities with Assistive Devices.

For children that have limited function, assistive Devices improve functions thus enhancing independence; assistive devices complement therapy. During these outreach Clinics, 30 children with disabilities that needed assistive Devices were identified and their measurements for appropriate assistive devices was done by our technical team. The assistive devices were measured and later on, fabricated in our orthopedic workshop. In June children who were measured received the assistive devices these included 5 wheelchairs, 7 standing frames, 7 walkers, 8 CP Chairs, and 3 Axillary crutches. 3 children who needed Splints and Prostheses were referred to KCH for measurements since measurement of these particular devices wasn’t possible in the field.

• Provision of medicine:

The team also used these outreach clinics to provide antiepileptic drugs for children whose supply had run out. Other drugs were also provided depending on the need identified and prescription including; painkillers, antibiotics, dewormers, and antifungal tubes among others.

Referrals:

Appropriate referrals were done after assessment and education, 5 children with disabilities (3Male & 2Female) were referred to Katalemwa for further management; 2 for surgeries (Clubfoot and Osteomyelitis), and 3 to have measurements of splints. 25 were referred to Kamuli District Hospital for other medical services like ENT services. 

3. CHALLENGES:

The negative attitude of the community towards disability; Many caregivers still believe that nothing good can come out of their children with disabilities. This causes reluctance to take these children to receive services. The situation is worsened by poverty; most of the children referred for further management have not received services because their parents could not raise money to transport them to the facilities even when the services are free.

4. RECOMMENDATION

• Continuous outreaches are to be conducted in the communities to have more clients attended to in their communities.
• Conduct more Home-based care to support the very vulnerable households who are left in houses
• Continuous awareness creation is to be done on disability-related issues in the communities.

5. CONCLUSION:

The importance of these community outreach clinics cannot be over-emphasized. Through this CBID project, we have noted that the number of children that need early intervention in rehabilitation in Kamuli District is big yet the attitudes and poverty are a huge barrier. To counteract these challenges there is a need to invest more resources in the community-based services in this district.