African Steps will build, equip and run an isolation ward for TB patients in St Peter's Hospital on Likoma Island. People are dying constantly of TB, which is a totally preventable disease and the isolation ward and facilities will prevent these unacceptable deaths and the spread of the disease throughout the Island.
Every day someone on the Island is diagnosed with TB; 1 in 6 of those people die. St Peter's has no isolation ward and so it treats patients and then immediately must discharge them when they are still highly infectious. Likoma Island is so remote that it is totally neglected by the government and St Peter's Hospital is reliant on its partnership with African Steps to provide healthcare for 84,000 people. Without us there would be no X-ray facilities or supply of essential drugs and equipment.
A fully equipped and staffed isolation ward would ensure that patients remain in hospital and are cared for properly. They would be fully educated and supported throughout their course of treatment. Patients will be discharged only when it is safe for them to go home. Lives will start being saved from the day the ward is opened.
On Likoma Island TB patients will be given proper care and treatment and the number of deaths will decrease. Over time the spread of the disease in the communities will be curbed and we will start to win the battle against this terrible disease. The isolation ward is an investment for the long term future and will transform the treatment of TB for many generations to come.
