News & Events

When we visited in November Dr Raphael was still in charge and he warmly welcomed us. The dispensary and clinic look in good order, though the villagers need to deal with the bats in the roof before they damage the ceilings too badly. The Doctor’s house is still lacking windows and permanent doors; FUM will ask the District to finish this work as soon as possible. The solar power system needs a new battery and some maintenance to restore power to the clinic.

Sadly after three test drills to find a suitable place to sink a borehole no water was found so extending the rain water harvesting facilities for the clinic is under consideration. More gutters plus more and larger water holding tanks will be needed, and we are taking advice on the feasibility of putting an underground tank in place. But as the local geography is solid rock this may not be possible. The current Sim tanks appeared rather undermined and we were told this was the result of floods earlier in the year. Trying to put a positive slant on this it shows some good rains do occur so every effort must be made to harvest as much of this water as possible

Richard Pratt and Jo Taylor
FUM chairman and Medical Liaison Officer

We visited in November 2016 to find the same Medical Officer in charge and he was pleased to greet us. The dispensary and clinic looked in good order, but the medical officer is keen to get more rooms, to give his patients more privacy and to have more rooms for health talks and vaccinations. We suggested the students from the local FDC could help by building a dividing wall in the large room in the clinic and we await news on this issue.

A major problem for the clinic is that the nurse and midwives have no house in Mwanhala. They have to travel by bus from Nzega every day so there is little help for the medical officer with night time delivery of babies. FUM is looking to work with the village and the District to see if funds can be raised to allow this problem to be overcome.

Richard Pratt and Jo Taylor
FUM chairman and Medical Liaison Officer

In December 2015 FUM sent £2100 for refurbishment of the doctor's house,
seen in the picture.

This was completed soon after
Easter 2016.

FUM chairman Richard Pratt and Jo Taylor, responsible for medical matters, visited in November 2016. Although Dr Kagya had been operating until 3am the night before he found the time to meet with them, talk about his hospital and even request that FUM considers taking on up to three Dispensaries. This is because since the new District of Kaliua has been formed FUM no longer supports any dispensaries in Urambo District. It emerged that a District Hospital should have a team of 23 medical officers whereas Urambo has only four - no wonder they are so very busy.

In the labour ward there are 3 delivery beds serving 15 - 20 deliveries each day. FUM will be looking to find the funds to help buy some more delivery beds. The women and babies seen all looked to be well looked after but the small team of staff were working very hard.

Latest news

Three final-year medical students from University College London medical school will be working in Urambo hospital for their 'medical elective' placement in April/May 2017. As 'almost fully qualified' doctors their presence there should help take some of the pressure off the local doctors. They will stay in Devon House at Urambo FDC.

When we visited in November 2016 Dr Sengo was away training so we were met by Dr Amos Petro who despite being very busy made us very welcome. Also present were Herman Mwenda, Principal at the nurse training college and the Nzega District Executive Director Mr Jacob Mtalitinya.

We discussed the plans of FUM and our colleagues Friends of Nzega to set up a sponsorship scheme for the training of extra nurses. The course lasts two years at a total cost of £900 for each nurse. All agreed that there is a chronic shortage of trained nurses locally so we aim to set up this sponsorship scheme before the next round of recruitment in March 2017.

Richard Pratt and Jo Taylor
FUM Chairman and Medical Liaison Officer

Nyasa is a remote, sparsely populated village on the edge of Kaliua District and the clinic was much needed. Sutton Coldfield Rotary Club, a partner of FUM, generously offered to provide the £6000 needed. When building work started Nyasa village was in Urambo District but government re-organisation switched it to Kaliua District.

After the building work was completed a Cranbrook School group painted the walls with the expectation that Kaliua Council would supply the medical equipment and staff, in line with normal practice. That was over three years ago.

However we understand from the Kaliua District Medical Officer, Dr John Mwombeki, that the clinic has received its licence and is now functioning.

There is no water supply here, and no rain water harvesting, but apparently there is a local bore hole.

Jo Taylor
FUM Medical Liaison Officer

When this clinic was visited in August 2011 it was closed as the Clinical Officer was on his annual leave. The villagers however were full of praise for his dedication and hard work.

As well as ante-natal care the staff there run PMTCT clinics, which give advice on how to prevent transfer of HIV from mother to child. There is currently no nurse employed at the clinic, but the CO has some helpers from the village.

Water is a problem. When FUM Officers Frank Charles and Janeth John (pictured) visited the village they found that the well behind the clinic was dry.

It is hoped that this will be one of the places included in FUM's focus on water.

Jo Taylor
FUM Medical Liaison Officer

The clinic serves a population of 1200+, with 40% of these being under 5 years old . There are approximately 8 deliveries per month, and about 20 patients visit the clinic each day.

The nurse offers HIV testing for pregnant women, though there were no test kits in stock when the clinic was visited. But there is no follow up advice and counselling at Maboha, HIV +ve mums would have to travel to Urambo for this support.

The clinic does offer contraceptive advice though, and provides condoms and hormone pills and injections, plus advice on safer sex and proper condom use.

The clinic has a gas fridge, but had no gas at the time of the visit. This was later reported to the DMO at the District Hospital who was aware of the shortage and said gas would be delivered soon.

The nurse has a bicycle for outreach work, and the clinic has a tank for rain water harvesting. The clinic appeared slightly shabby, but it was definitely functioning, and seen as a huge benefit to this rather remote village.

Jo Taylor
FUM Medical Liaison Officer

The clinic is very busy and the staffing is the same as in 2013, a good sign.

The previously dilapidated and overgrown open well has been fully refurbished but the other well in the village is in need of attention. The ceiling above the clinic veranda is currently propped up and looks a little precarious !

Jo Taylor
FUM Medical Liaison Officer

There are now 3 buildings, the original dispensary, the clinic, plus a new maternity delivery building financed by World Vision. The new delivery house has tiled walls, delivery suite, showers & toilets (not yet working as they have insufficient water), staff area, waiting room. It has good solar lighting. Wonderful!

The dispensary has no power, the clinic has some solar lighting, financed by the local MP.

Staff There is one nursing officer who is very good. She is so committed that she and her husband have built their own house nearby. There are up to 6 helpers from the village.

The only water supply is from shallow well ½ km away but this can dry up in dry season. Cranbrook School is looking to finance rain water harvesting - hopefully. Their number one priority is to have SIM tanks for water.

Jo Taylor
FUM Medical Liaison Officer