HEALTHCARE
The two main health projects are at St. Bakhita Health Clinic and Namboboto Health Centre.
These provide much needed healthcare for the local people. The aim has always been that these clinics should be sustainable; that they should not need a constant supply of funds to pay the staff and other running costs.
Some people are able to pay a small amount for their health care, others contribute something as part payment – perhaps a few eggs or vegetables. No-one is turned away. The fees from those who can afford to pay mean that the very poorest widows and orphans who have nothing can receive health care.
W.O.R.K. is also involved in outreach work to people who do not have the money or transport to get to a clinic. This has included removing jiggers (tiny worms that eat into flesh) from children’s feet and hands, testing children for HIV and taking a mobile clinic to remote villages to provide care for pregnant women, babies and others in the villages.
Success stories
St. Bakhita Health Centre was built by W.O.R.K. after purchasing a field in the area. There is now a theatre for minor surgery and over 40 beds for in-patients as well as the out-patient facilities.
A constant supply of electricity to clinics cannot be taken for granted but solar lighting provided by W.O.R.K. means that there is a reliable source of electricity and midwives can deliver babies in the night.
W.O.R.K. has built staff houses at the health clinics to accommodate staff in rural areas. This ensures that good staff are always on hand.
Ambulances
With the enormous kindness & generosity of St Edmund Champion Parish, W.O.R.K. were able to donate a converted Land Cruiser ambulance to help provide safe travel across the rural roads to help isolated communities.
We can now visit much further villages, extend our Jigger program & help young mothers receive medical attention.
Looking towards the future
The plan has always been that, once established, the clinics should be able to pay staff wages from their income and still have the resources to help those in desperate need. This has been achieved. Whilst there will always be a need to improve and update the facilities, the clinics are self-sustaining and they can look to the future with confidence.
All this has been made possible by the careful stewardship of generous donations and by the committed, skilful staff at the clinics. The clinics transform the whole area.