Field Update - August 17, 2014

Great news! Dr. Imani and the MSD team (Medecins au Service des Demunies) were able to open the new Afya Bora Medical Clinic at Kavumu this past week! It seemed to be a great success and the community was clearly excited about the opening.

As part of the grand opening Dr. Imani and his team provided free consultations for the first three days so when we were there it was quite packed.

The solar panels from the solar suitcase I brought back from WeCareSolar had been installed on the roof by Dr. Racine. You can just see them there at the top left of this picture.

They had also begun putting the medicines from Collaboration Sante Internationale to good use as well at the little pharmacy.

There is still a significant list of needs for the clinic that need to be addressed. For instance, these curtains separating the reception area from the patients are not adequate to provide privacy or to prevent infection. They really need the resources to build proper walls to separate the spaces.

There are still important medicines that the pharmacy does not have in order to provide a full range of care to pregnant women among other things. Dr. Imani is also in need of various pieces of gynecological supplies and equipment in order to do his consultations.

Also, the “fence” that was built around the clinic in order to allow them the security necessary to be able to open is woefully inadequate. With the valuable medicines and equipment being housed in the building, it is very worrisome to not have proper fencing around the perimeter.

But one of the biggest needs at the centre at this point is water. There have been problems connecting the centre to the community water source because of a dispute with some of the people from the surrounding area. Without access to an adequate supply of clean water, the clinic will have serious problems maintaining a good level of hygiene and preventing the spread of infection. This a huge need which we are brainstorming over at the moment.

But despite the challenges, Dr. Imani and his team as well as us at Channel Initiative are really excited about the opening of the clinic and are confident that the MSD team will be able to surmount the challenges encountered in providing dignified care to this community.

Congratulations Dr. Imani and MSD!