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Comic Relief’s Operation Health project will see a dilapidated clinic in eastern Uganda renovated and transformed by a local team – into a fully functioning centre in time for Red Nose Day 2015.
For staff at Iyolwa Health Clinic it cannot come too soon. Dorothy is a 26 year old midwife who lives on site and is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“I rarely leave the clinic and when I do it is just for one hour to get essentials but then I always rush back in case a woman in labour has walked in and needs me,” she said.
There is no power in the rat-infested clinic so as soon as it is dark Dorothy has to rely on a paraffin lamp or the light on her mobile phone.
“Often there is no money for paraffin and once the battery on my phone died so I had to help carry a woman outside onto the porch into the moonlight so I could see the baby coming,” she added.
Despite working in such challenging conditions Dorothy always has a smile on her face and is happier for her patients than herself about the new clinic.
“Having power and running water will mean a safer start in life for the next generation.”
Martha is a 27-year-old nurse at the clinic. She knew from a very young age that she wanted to help others in this way.
“The best part of my job is being able to help young girls in my community,” she smiled.
“Unfortunately we have a lot of young pregnancies and marriages, so I make sure girls are aware of their options - that they can finish their education, even with a baby.”
Despite being pregnant with twins herself, Martha works tirelessly in difficult conditions to ensure the welfare of young patients.
“I get the most satisfaction when girls show an interest in nursing. I can encourage them to study medicine and at the moment two patients are doing just that. I want to be a positive role model in the community and also better myself as well.”
The Iyolwa Health Clinic was originally built in 1967 and a 6-year-old boy watched that moment the walls went up.
That boy was Maurice, who, now aged 54, is a nursing officer and has over the years watched the building fall into disrepair.
“I’ve watched the clinic fall apart,” he said.
“The roof is unstable and in danger of blowing off. It leaks and is full of bats. Patients sit on the floor alongside rats and droppings and there is not enough space for staff to deal with the number of patients that require help.”
He can’t wait for the new facility. “Dispensing medicine and talking to patients makes me so happy,” he added.
“The new clinic will be a great opportunity to improve my own skills as we’ll have more equipment to use and that can only be good for my patients.”
Head Clinician Francis said the staff work in very challenging conditions, including conducting consultations where wasps attack the patients and rats run around the floors. It is his job to help meet the needs of 17,400 villagers and to make sure his staff are safe and motivated.
“When I first arrived I couldn’t believe my eyes,” he said. “There were massive holes in the ceiling, the roof leaked, the windows were smashed and the smell was suffocating. It looked like an abandoned building.”
But despite the challenges Francis said he wants to make a difference.
“The clinic had never had a proper head and I felt like I could really help improve its services and reputation.”
“Gradually we have earned the trust of the local community and more people than ever are using the centre.”
Francis is delighted that Comic Relief’s Operation Health has given them hope again.
“I feel proud to be in charge during this build. The staff are confident that the new centre will help us give our patients the treatment they deserve. No wasps, no bats and no rats, just a modern, clean facility. We can’t wait.”
With your support Comic Relief hopes to completely transform this vital lifeline for the people of eastern Uganda.
