Health Care
Mother & Baby Clinic and Dispensary
The Mother & Child clinic was completed in 1982, using local materials and labour.
This was the first KUFL project and formed the template for the many projects since that time.
A trained midwife delivers babies and treats mothers and children.
A dispensary is also provided, which is stocked with medicines from the government’s Central Medical Stores on a regular basis.
Maternity Unit and Operating Theatre
At the end of December 2016 funds were sent to Uyogo to cover one third of the cost of equipping a maternity unit and one third the cost of building the an operating theatre.
Funds were send to purchase some medical equipment which was received and is in storage at the District Hospital in Urambo, ready for when the maternity unit and operating theatre become operational. The local medical director was organising the supply of the remaining equipment.
Whilst the two buildings are structurally complete and electricity & water supply supplies are available, completion is dependent upon further funding from the District Government.
Upgrade of Dispensary & Supply of Ambulance by Tanzanian Government
In 2020, as part of Tanzanian government’s plans to upgrade Uyogo’s Dispensary to a Health Centre, the Ministry of Health have provided an ambulance.
The Health Centre will serve the ‘Northern Zone’ around Muungano, Songambele and Uyogo. This greatly strengthens the referral services to the Health Centre and to the Urambo District Hospital.
The supply and operation of the ambulance is a positive step in advancing the facilities that should be available when the Health Centre, with maternity ward and operating theatre, is fully equipped and working for the benefit of Uyogo’s villagers.
Hygiene for Girls – Locally made re-useable sanitary pads
Girl school students often miss a week of school each month when having their period, significantly impacting their education. Following a request from Uyogo, KUFL investigated various ways of getting reusable sanitary pads to girls and concluded that it would be best to have them made in Uyogo using local materials.
An initial trial was slower at producing pads than hoped so our liaison person in Uyogo, Lucky Mgeni, has now found a more reliable seamstress. We hope this will be an income generating project, whereby pads will be sold to women who can afford to buy them at a price that allows purchasing more materials and giving sanitary pads to girl school students for free.
This project was designed by a local team comprising 2 Umiki School girls, Lucky Mgeni and Margaret Simons who is in charge of women and girls’ affairs in Uyogo Ward.
After a trial it was found that sales had been slower than expected, especially in the more rural areas, where people cannot afford to buy them.
New options, based on similar schemes operating in other areas, are being considered so that the Uyogo operating model can be adjusted to suit the local circumstances.
Medical Training for Dr. Joyce Ongati
KUFL sponsored the village nurse, Joyce Ongati to complete her degree in medicine, in Dar es Salaam. Joyce successfully graduated after 5 years’ study in 2017.
Although we had hoped that Joyce could return to Uyogo to take charge of the medical facilities, following its completion, after working in the main District Hospital, in Urambo, for five years, she has now been posted to work further away.
