This is where it all started. Why did we build up a project clinic in Karusandara? To address some of the main challenges for better healthcare in Uganda:

​

• Climate change threatens health and sanitation sectors through increased occurrence of heat waves, floods, droughts and storms.

• Malaria is the the most commonly reported disease in public and private hospitals and health facilities, with 12.4 million cases and 13,203 deaths in 2018, according to WHO estimates. 

• The area around Karusandara is in particular vulnerable to climate change-related flooding, thus increasing the risk of malaria

 

Generally, Uganda is struggling with poor medical care, many people do not have health insurance and there is a lack of professionals and government services to provide sufficient coverage and complete health care. Particularly in rural areas the service and access to high-quality healthcare is very poor. 

 

Karusanda, 23km from Kasese city is in particularly affected by natural disasters, especially flood. These impoverish the population, making it the most vulnerable region in Kasese District. Although government-run hospitals exist, they are often overcrowded and have next to no medicine available. Good healthcare is only available in the city, which is difficult to reach due to floods, poor infrastructure and a lack of public transportation.

 

Against this background we started our first project support in Karusandara, supporting Dr Richard in building up a local clinic. Some achievements include:

• Collaboration with local government through Dr Richard’s NGO (Memorandum of Understanding), alignment with local priorities.

• Rental and renovation of a clinic building, including power supply.

• Acquisition of basic medical equipment.

• Establishment of a medicine stock and supply to the rural population.

• Employment of nurses, supporting local job creation

• Average of 150-200 clinic visitors per month (for a population of 1,200).

• Provision of COVID protective equipment for staff and general population (500 surgical masks, 200 FFP-2 masks, 100 COV antigen tests, 10 face shields).