kibaale clinic

Some Local Health Challenges

Malaria: Malaria contines to be one of the main causes of sickness and death in the area. Although worse in the wet season, malaria occurs all year round. Malaria is a treatable disease yet poverty and lack of transportation are obstacles to many people seeking help on time. Even though clinic staff take many babies to hospital for blood transfusions, some children do not make it in time to save their lives.

HIV/AIDS: Although HIV/AIDS has been prevalent in the area since the mid-1980's, there remains a very stong stigma attached to having the disease.

Poverty: Not only does poverty present obstacles to medical help for some people, but poor food quality, non-preservation of food and water, and general lack of facilities and education leads to poor general health and suseptibility to disease.

Sanitation/Hygiene: Many people suffer from preventable diseases due to poor or no sanitation. Water sources are often not protected and preserved, and sometimes become contaminated by livestock.

Immunization
One afternoon per week the medical team runs immunization clinics in local villages and also provides health education for the villagers. The team administers free immunization against common childhood diseases and treatment for parasites and scabies during baby health checks.

Health Education
Prevention and teatment education is a focus of the clinic. Before the clinic opens in the morning waiting patients receive instruction on specific health issues.
In the laboratory a trained HIV/AIDS counsellor talks to patients before taking blood tests, and prepares them for the outcome.
Regular immunization trips are made into local villages by clinic staff, who also provide education sessions covering specic health/hygiene issues.

Impact on Community
The Kibaale clinic has earned the confidence of the local people who appreciate its efficiency, resources and quality of care. The clinic has won the reputation of ministering to the whole person rather than just the immediate medical condition. Many lives have been saved since the clinic started in the early 1990's through direct treatment or referral to other medical institutions. Personal and family counseling is part of the service.

Kibaale Clinic
Kibaale Community clinic is a vital part of the Kibaale Project. It reaches out to the needy people of the community who live with many hardships and struggle daily to survive. Apart from the HIV/AIDS problem which is prevalent, other diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, typhoid, STDs and childhood diseases take their toll. Currently the clinic attempts to address the needs of 1,600 patients per month. On very busy days as many as 100 babies, mothers and grandparents seek medical help.

Staffing
Eight Ugandan staff, some now trained graduates of the Kibaale community School, headed by a medical officer, work in the clinic. The medical officer has special training which qualifies her for the rank of a junior doctor.

The laboratory has a qualified technician.

A Hive of Activity
The clinic is open Monday - Friday and commences with prayer and health education on various topics for the patients who have gathered. Many patients travel over 10 km for treatment, mostly on foot. Often clinic or other Kibaale staff have to transport serious, urgent cases to hospitals some distance away.

Clinic Finances
The Kibaale clinic is funded separately from the rest of the Kibaale project, with support coming from Canada and England. In addition local people pay a small user fee if they can afford it. No patient is every turned away because of lack of funds. The user fee covers all treatment/medication, so patients know they will not be required to pay additional bribes as is common in some other medical institutions in Uganda.

Looking to the Future
Patient Sponsorship: The increase in the number of patients at the clinic is placing a huge strain on resources. To address operation cost needs, a patient sponsorship program (KCPS) is being launched. Sponsoring individuals, families, churches or businesses are needed to commit to provide $100 per month to treat 25 patients. For more information please click here.
New Clinic Building: The present clinic, which is a row of rooms attached to the community centre, is now too small to handle all the patients and needs. Plans are underway for the construction of a new clinic and laboratory which will also have the capability to accomodate overnight emergency patients. For more information on plans and funding, please click here.