News & Events

In summer 2017 the hospital benefited from two significant developments:

• Three UK doctors spent 6 weeks at the hospital in April/May during their 'medical elective' placement arranged by FUM. They stayed in Devon House at nearby Urambo FDC. The hospital is understaffed and the three provided invaluable 'extra hands' said Dr Kagya the District Medical Officer. It was also a potentially life-changing experience for the doctors and two stayed on in Tanzania for several weeks. Read their report.
• Maternity delivery beds Thanks to a substantial donation from Cranbrook School, with a top-up from FUM supporters, two much needed delivery beds were bought locally by the hospital, nearly doubling the current three beds.

The new Nursing School is now open and, with an eye to the future, can have another storey added as demand and funds allow. The old one is used as an additional dormitory and its electrical circuitry has been upgraded by our colleagues at Friends of Nzega.

Further discussion with the DMO Dr Sengo about much needed additional nurse training was fruitful. A scheme is now in place to enable nurses at the hospital to upgrade their skills, with the fees for the two year course paid by FUM and FON. There has also been progress to provide support for local people who cannot afford the basic nurse training course. After completion of their course they are expected to work at Nzega hospital for three years.

Nick Vinall
FUM Treasurer

Due to poor winter rains the 2017 dry season was the worst for 10 years and water had to be rationed. Fortunately the autumn rains were good and came early so the maize and other crops are now growing well.

The downside was that an unusually bad autumn storm damaged the roof of Devon House, used by guests at the FDC, and cut off the electricity supply. Both these have now been repaired.

Nick Vinall
FUM Treasurer

New water supply For many years the FDC has not had a reliable supply of clean water. With the help of the local water 'boss' Mr Lucky Mgeni FUM has paid for the FDC to be connected to a new town borehole.

This has made a big difference to students and staff in terms of sanitation and hygiene and the vegetable garden is now thriving.

Students update Mr Nestory has reported that student numbers are excellent. The·great popularity of domestic electric installation and motor mechanics reflects the growing demands of the local economy. 25 students from poor families receive support from FUM. There are still the traditional courses in tailoring, masonry and bricklaying, and carpentry. Eight students are registered for the 3-month short IT course.

Kindergarten This is thriving with 30 children now attending daily, supervised by a local young woman. Parents pay Tsh.3000 (about £1) a month for breakfast for the children.

Devon House for accommodating visitors has had the bathroom upgraded and a new fridge and wi-fi router installed. FUM chairman Richard Pratt and Jo Taylor stayed there in November 2016 and three UK doctors are there in April/May 2017 while spending their 'elective' at nearby Urambo Hospital. They took some laptop chargers for the FDC computers.
 

Huruma Centre is a nearby refuge for orphans and children with albinism. FUM is now supporting the centre by providing specialist sun hats, much needed to reduce melanomas.

Di Cooper
FUM FDC Co-ordinator

Mr Mwadua reports that recruitment of new students resulted in significantly increased numbers, a good sign. The most popular courses are again domestic electric installation and motor vehicle maintenance but with respectable numbers in tailoring 18, carpentry 11 and masonry/bricklaying 10.

FUM currently supports 20 students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The college now benefits from having mains electricity. This should improve the water supply but the borehole pump is currently awaiting maintenance with help promised by Nzega District Council.

The refurbishment of college staff houses has still not been completed because the Ministry has not paid the contractor. Staff are having to use the student dormitories and student accommodation adapted accordingly. During the FUM chairman's visit the kitchen area was seen to be in need of refurbishment and the sewing machines need some maintenance.

The FDC land covers 477 acres. To assist in meeting the cost of feeding the students Mr Mwadua has extended the area of crop cultivation to 12 acres. Maize, cassava, sunflowers, cowpeas were planted but poor rains will reduce the harvest volume.

The college also keeps cows, sheep and goats, looked after by the agriculture tutor
Mr Sambe. It is good to know that the also provides advice and training for local farmers.

Di Cooper
FUM FDC Co-ordinator

The District Medical officer in Kaliua told us that the clinic is open and working well. There are two nurses and one medical attendant. There should be two staff houses but one is still incomplete so all are sharing the one house. A shallow well was built but it was unsuccessful so the staff have to collect water from the village, about 1 km away, in buckets.

Jo Taylor
FUM Medical Liaison Officer

In November the District Medical Officer in Kaliua told FUM that there is one assistant nurse and two medical attendants and it is a very busy clinic. There are only two staff houses so actually there is a shortage of staff accommodation.

The clinic uses rain water harvesting with a concrete tank, plus a shallow well. There had been problems with the well; the cover had been removed when the pump wasn’t working. The cover has now been replaced but the DMO said a lock is needed so it is not removed again.

Jo Taylor
FUM Medical Liaison Officer

Sadly even though the building of the clinic is now complete the clinic is still not open. The problem is that there now needs to be a staff house and toilets before Kaliua District will register the clinic. FUM have been told the government could find staff but cannot do this until the staff house and toilets are in place.

Maybe this is a project the Kaliua District, the local population and FUM can work on together? Certainly there is a great need for a medical facility in Ibambo which is a long way from the nearest clinic and even further from the hospital in Urambo.

Jo Taylor
FUM Medical Liaison Officer

Uhindi clinic and dispensary are in a fine state with the two houses providing good accommodation for the staff. The clinic now has a reliable water supply, via a pipe from a borehole in the village. The District medical Officer told us this was funded by World Bank and is in good condition.

Jo Taylor
FUM Medical Liaison Officer

Maboha is still a busy clinic, run by a rather elderly nurse plus a medical attendant. Currently there is one rain water harvesting tank but it needs some renovation.There are two staff houses but they are now in a poor state and also need some renovation. Hopefully FUM can soon find some funds or sponsorship to finance these refurbishments.

Jo Taylor
FUM Medical Liaison Officer