Nyasa Clinic 2017 Update

After a five hour drive from Urambo we found this large clinic to be in pretty good condition, with the government funded improvements nearing completion. There is a medical officer and two nurses though one was on leave. Solar panels provide power for lighting and, unusually, the vaccine fridge. The large entrance area gives an excellent waiting area and is also used for public health displays and talks.

There are three maternal delivery beds. The 4-year old German-made one has been problem free whereas the much newer but rather flimsy Chinese ones have already needed several repairs.

Water is still a big problem. The clinic has to pay for it to be brought from the top of a 100m high hill about 1 km away - bizarre ! With the help of an anonymous donor FUM is paying for the clinic's large roof area to harvest rainwater into a new 96,000 litres subterranean concrete tank. A solar pump will raise the water as needed into a 2000 litre plastic tank for filling containers. Villagers started the manual digging for the concrete tank early in 2018 with completion of the scheme expected by April.

Nick Vinall
FUM Treasurer