More stories from the trenches.. the clinic floor...

Sarah is a poor single mother with two helpless children,she stays in a very bad, bent and mud house with many cracks.She was married to a man who belonged to the Bakiyende clan in the far eastern part of Uganda.It is believed that all first borns of the Bakiyende clan have to be aborted.Sarah didn't know the tribe of the husband she got married to and the man didn't reveal the secret to her.She conceived and gave birth to two children but when the relatives of her husband discovered where they were staying! they came and wanted to kill her fast born.They ran and settled at our village,she said after two weeks her husband was attacked by evil spirits and he ran away and up to now, he is no where to be found.The evil spirit had started attacking her also but pastor Ben and his team went and prayed for her and she was healed.
Today Sarah's baby,the first born and survivor has eaten a dangerous weed and was brought at the clinic with swollen lips,tongue and reddening of the inner lining of the mouth.We had only a single dose of Hydrocortizone because it is the antidote to this weed and when we gave the child improved.Thanks be to God that now the child feels much better.


Nakabugo 16years old, lost all her parents, was forced by the aunt to get married to a 54year old man who was a moslem polygamous.She came to the clinic because she was not feeling well. She had most of the signs of pregnancy.We tested for pregnancy and she was pregnant already.we examined her,we also counseled her and tested her for the Hiv/Aids,only to diagnose she was HIV positive. It was very hard for us to council this young lady,we had to hire a senior counselor to council her.

The complete clinic budget

Can you make a difference? Can you help? It is not an insurmountable total... it is a total that we as a community can raise to help the clinic which turns away NO ONE if they are unable to pay. The clinic treats the poorest of the poor, AIDS widows, AIDS orphans, all at risk children.. The clinic is open to everyone, so can you open your heart? If a lot of people donate it a little it can be raised in a short amount of time.

PROPOSED BUDGET as of 25 February 2011  Drugs and Basic Medical  Supplies Commonly used at the Mafubira Community Clinic
 NAME OF ITEM  Quantity  Unit Cost Total in Uganda-shillings  Total cost in US Dollars

ANTIMALARIALS
Injectables
Quinine Ampules 100 ampules     400sh      40,000sh   $20
Chloroquine Ampules 50ampules 300sh       15000sh   $7.5
Artemether Ampules 100ampules 800sh       80000sh  $40

Orals
Sulfadoxine pyrethnamide tabs 100tablets   500sh 50000sh $25
Quininn tabs 150 tabs                     200sh 30000sh $15  
Chloroquine tabs 1tin                      5000sh 5000sh  $2.5   
Artemether tabs 15 doses              8000sh 120000sh $60  
Coartem tabs 20 doses                     6000sh 120000sh $60   

TOTAL for antimalarials     460000sh  $230
 
2. ANTIPYRETICS
Injectables
Diclofanac 100Ampules                           200sh 20000sh $10      
orals
Paracetamal tablets 1tin                             8000sh 8000sh $4  
Diclofanac tablets 1000tablets                  1500sh 15000sh $7.5  
Ibuprofen tablets                                      200tablets 100sh 20000sh $10  
Indocid caps                                            50caps 50sh 2500sh $1   
Nimesulide tablets                                   30tablets 300sh 9000sh $3    
Olfen caps.                                               10caps 2000sh 20000sh $10   
                              TOTAL 91000sh $45.5   
  
3 ANTIBIOTICS
Injectables
Ampicilline vials 500ml                 400sh 200000sh $100  
Cloxacilline vials 150ml                500sh 75000sh $35.5  
  Xpen vials 100ml                        150sh 15000sh $7.5 
Gentamycine ampules   150 ampules 150sh 22500sh $11.25  
Benzathine penicilline 40ml              400sh 16000sh $8 
I.v metronidazole 10 bottles                2000sh 20000sh $10  
I.v ciprofloxacine 10bottles                2000sh 20000sh $10   
I.v levflofloxacine 10bottles                 2000sh 20000sh $10  
Ceftriaxon 30vials 4000sh                   120000sh $60  
Chloramphenical 50vials                   500sh 25000sh $12.5 
PPF 50vials                                       400sh 20000sh $10  
Ampiclox 50 vials                            1000sh 50000sh $25  
Orals
Amoxyl caps 1000caps                              50sh 50000sh 25$
Doxacilline caps 50 caps                           100sh 5000sh 2.5$
Metronidazol tabs  1000 caps                    20sh 20000sh 10$
Erythromycine tabs 500caps                      40sh 20000sh 10$
Chloramphenical caps 1000caps                 100sh 100000sh 50$
Ciprofloxacin tabs 100caps                        200sh 20000sh 10$
Ampicilline caps 1000caps                        50sh 50000sh 25$
Cloxacilline 50caps                                  1000sh 50000sh 25$
TOTAL 914500sh 457.25$
4 ANTI FUNGALS
Creams
clotrimazol 10 500sh 5000sh 2.5$
White fild 30 500sh 15000sh 7.5$
Protective silicone 5 2000sh 10000sh 5$
Sonadam 5 2000sh 10000sh 5$
Tablets
Nystatin tablets 28 300sh 8400sh 4.2$
Grisofalvine 200 300sh 60000sh 30$
Fluconazol 50caps2000sh 100000sh 50$
TOTAL 208400sh 104.2$
5 STEROIDS
Injectables
Hydrocortizone 50 1000sh 50000sh 25$
Dexamethazone 20 1000sh 20000sh 10$
Orals
Dexamethazone tabs 50 20sh 1000sh 0.5$
Prednsoline tabs 100 25sh 2500sh 1.25$
Chlophenamine tabs 1tin 3000sh 3000sh 1.5$
TOTAL 762500sh 38.25$
6 ANTI DOT
Atenam/benzexal 20tablets 1000sh 20000sh 10$
TOTAL 20000sh 10$
7 I.V FLUIDS
Normal saline 24 1000sh 24000sh 12$
Ringers Lactate 24 1000sh 24000sh 12$
5%Dextrose 24 1000sh 24000sh 12$
50%Dextrose 10 5000sh 50000sh 25$
Darouase halfstrength 24 1000sh 24000sh 12$
Water for injection 300 100 30000sh 15$
TOTAL 176000sh 88$
8 Eye drops
Gentamycine 10 800sh 80000sh 4$
Chloraphenical 8 800sh 80000sh 4$
Tetracycline oint 15 500sh 7500sh 3.75$
TOTAL 23500sh 11.75$
9 ANTIHYSTAMINE
Injectables
plasil 30 300sh 9000sh 3$
promethazine 30 300sh 9000sh 3$
 Orals
Plasil tablets 1tin 3000sh 3000sh 1.25$
Phenagan tabs 1tin 3000sh 3000sh 1.25$
Chlophenamine 1tin 3000sh 3000sh 1.25$
TOTAL 19500sh 9.75$
10 ANTI HYPERTENSIVES
Orals
Nifedipine tabs 1box 5000sh 5000sh 2.25$
Atenelol 1box 10000sh 10000sh 5$
Methyldopa 1box 10000sh 10000sh 5$
Aprinox 1box 10000sh 10000sh 5$
Propranolol 1box 10000sh 10000sh 5$
Hydralazine 1box 20000sh 20000sh 10$
TOTAL 64500sh 32.25$
11 ANTI ACIDS
Orals
Omeprazole 100caps 200sh 20000sh 10$
Cemetidine 100tabs 200sh 20000sh 10$
Magnisium trilicat 1tin 6000sh 6000sh 3$
TOTAL 46000sh 23$
12 ANTI CONVALSANTS
Injectables
Diazapam 50Ampules 500sh 25000sh 12.25$
Lagactil 20Ampules 1200sh 24000sh 12$
Orals
Valium tabs 1tin 3500sh 3500sh 1.7$
Lagactil tabs 1tin 18000sh 18000sh 9$
Imepramine tabs 1box 10000sh 10000sh 5$
TOTAL 79900sh 39.95$
13 BRONCH DILATORS
Injectors
Aminophylin 20 2000sh 40000sh 2$
Orals
Aminophylin tabs 1tin 8000sh 8000sh 4$
Salbutamol tabs 1tin 2000sh 2000sh 1$
TOTAL 14000sh 7$
14 SUPPLIES
Adhesive plaster 24rolls 1800sh 43200sh 21.6$
Gauze 5rolls 5000sh 25000sh 12.25$
Cotton 5rolls 4000sh 20000sh 10$
Hibbitane 4bottles 3000sh 12000sh 6$
Iodine 3bottles 6000sh 18000sh 9$
Neomycin cream 10 1200sh 12000sh 6$
Syringes and nidles 10boxes 10000sh 100000sh 50$
Canulars &sets 3boxes20000sh 60000sh 30$
Bandages 2boxes30000sh 60000sh 30$
TOTAL 349700sh 174.85$
15 Vitamins
muti-vitamins 2tins 6000sh 12000sh 6$
Vitamin A 1tin 6000sh 6000sh 3$
Vitamin C 3tin 4000sh 12000sh 6$
Vitamin B Complex 1tin 3500sh 3500sh 1.75
TOTAL 33500sh 16.75$
GRAND TOTAL 2577000sh 1288.5$

Parts of the Clinic Budget

TClinic Budget
     

       Item Name  Quantity Unit Cost  Total Cost-Uganda Total Cost US   
Anti-Malarials- Injectables

1. Quinine Ampules   100 ampules       400 sh   40,000 sh        $20 
2.  Chloroquine Amps 50 Ampules       300 sh   15,000 sh        $7.5
3. Arthemether Amps 100 Ampules     800 sh    80,000 sh       $40

Anti-Malarials- Oral

1.  Sulfadoxine pyrethnamide tabs 100 tabs  500 sh      50,000 sh   $50
2.   Quinine tablets                          150 tabs  200 sh     30,000 sh   $15
3. Chloroquinine tabs                     1 tin       5000 sh       5000 sh  $2.50
4. Artemether Tabs                         15 doses 8000 sh  120,000 sh  $60 
5. Coarterm Tabs                            20 doses 6000 sh  120,000 sh  $60

Desperate Need for the clinic

The clinic is in desperate need of anti-malarial drugs and cortisone at this time. It is the rainy season, a time when the worst mosquito issues. The clinic used the last of its cortisone treated a near deadly allergic reaction in a child day before yesterday. This means that the clinic can not treat the most common illness among the widows and orphans. It also means that if a person comes in with a serious allergic reaction, a serious respiratory issue, etc.. then the clinic currently does not have the ability to treat these conditions.  Can you spare a few dollars? if so the time to donate is now. This will provide critical life changing meds. If you can only donate $10 then do that, it will make a huge difference because of the exchange rate. The monies go much further there. I am going to post the list of what these drugs will run here shortly.

Community Based Organization -Registration

Hello all,

Today I received the uploaded image of the CBO for the Community Clinic. This shows that they have met the standards for the equivalent of a non-profit by US standards. There are two levels in most African nations. The Community Based Organization, which is a local charity and the NGO, which is a Non-governmental organization. The clinic is a CBO, but they have applied for NGO status. 

A happy moment- gift of clothing for the orphans

Here are some pictures of a little happier time for the clinic.. The clinic received several boxes of clothes to be distributed to the orphans that are treated there. SO, since this is a lot happier moment I thought I would show this doing some real good for the clinic and the people in the area, but in a much happier situation.

Treatment of a Badly Burned Young Man

This is part of the daily life of the Mafubira Community Clinic.  

Can you imagine having the knowledge to treat a patient, but not have the medications and supplies? 
Well, that is part of the daily life at the Clinic.   


A young man was badly burned by a candle and today he has come to the clinic to have it cleaned and the bandages changed. This is a 19 year old young man, who looks like a small toddler. He suffers from epilepsy, stunted growth, has never spoken, and is physically disabled as well. It is unknown what his actual medical condition is at this time, but at the moment he is receiving the best medical care his family and the clinic can provide. The child should be seen by a specialist but the family can not afford this, therefore, the clinic nurse is doing the very best he can at this time. He has successfully kep the wounds clean and the child from developing an infection, but there are no pain medications available to give this child, antibiotics are limited and therefore only given when absolutely needed, as well as things like numbing medications to allow debridement of the wounds.

New Stories from the Clinic

I received these patient stories a couple of days ago from Lufafa Emmanuel regarding some of the patients in the clinic. I am sad to say that it hurts my heart every time I open the messages and see the new information. If you would like to assist even a few dollars goes a very long way for the clinic. If you have supplies that you would like to send to the clinic, please contact me and I will give you the information on how to go about doing this. The clinic is not new, it has been established for five years now helping the local community. Please take the time to read the stories posted on the blog. If you are a medical professional, think about how you would handle this, if you were the one trying to help these people with such limited supplies.. the helplessness that you would feel if you had your hands tied in this manner.. now with that in mind, please read these stories.. the patient stories...


Morin a young girl,aged 13years old,a total orphan,she is a known sickle cell sickler(sp) ( language difference sickle cell anemia- acute ) ,brought to the clinic by the relative.Complains of severe joint pain,headache,fever and general body pain.  When I observed the eyes where very yellow (jaundice) , severe pallor of the mucus membranes which is a sign of severe anemia and she had difficult in breathing. We sent her for a blood test for the malaria laboratory investigation in town and the results were +++.  We had the anti malaria medicine but we had no blood to transfuse and we didn't have the oxygen cylinder nor a stabilizer to administer the oxygen. The crisis worsened and we referred them to a better hospital even when they had no money to pay for the hospital bills there. The relative refused but we had to force them to go to the hospital in order to save the life of the young girl.  At the reception of the hospital they asked them to deposit some money and they said they don't have any money. They left the hospital and went back home and wait for God's will. Their neighbor came and told us the story and we sent for them immediately .We treated faithfully with the anti malarial and folic acid only ,but God will never forsake his people,  the girl has improved and he is now much better . God makes a way where seem to be no way. ( I will add that both conditions that this child has are chronic, sickle cell is made worse by poor nutrition and inadequate medical care, lack of folic acid etc, the clinic could treat the patient... malaria is chronic and worsened by lack of mosquito netting and as with all things poor nutrition and stress)


Judith is a widow, who was left with 2 orphans,she lost her job because she could fall sick every time and then.When she went for a blood check she was found infected with the hiv/aids virus. All her babies stopped school because she could no longer afford to pay for their school fees. She struggles to get the food to share with her babies because the kids are still young. She started making crafts so that she can sell and earn a living.To her disappointment a thief came and stall all what she had made.When she came to know of this incidence! she was depressed and took poison to commit suicide. They brought her at the clinic very fast and we did gastric lavage to wash the stomach and then gave anti acid. She was unconscious by the time she was brought to the clinic but after three hours, she recovered and we had to council her and she is now a happy mother. The God who causes people come near death and rise them to life again will always be there for you even when your eyes can't see any hope.


Kampi a young girl 7years old,an orphan,stays with the cousin, was burnt by the hot water and sustained superficial burns all over the legs and on the abdomen.She was brought at the clinic where we are treating him from but due to lack of enough medical supplies and medicine! she keeps missing some doses.

The Clinic

This clinic needs our help. If you have not visited the website, please do at this time. It shows what this clinic is doing and what needs to be done. The clinic has a great need for assistance. We can not save everyone, but we can make a difference in the lives of those that go to this clinic. The clinic has a long list of needed supplies. Here is the basic need. It cost aproximately $300 USD to run this clinic, to replenish the disposable supplies, medications, food, nutritional support etc. Can you assist the clinic? Can you forgo a trip to a Starbucks or a fast food restaurant? It would be ideal if we could set up a sponsorship program for the clinic. It would allow the clinic to be able to depend on people for a set amount per month. If you are interested in doing this please contact me via email or by posting a comment and I will respond immediately.

Lufafa Emmanuel sent this to me from the clinic yesterday. I was truly full of sorry when I read the following story. It broke my heart. 

1. Shafik a baby boy, aged 4years,lost his father remaining with only the mother,was brought to the clinic by his poor mother.On history taking we found the mother has no job.The poor boy was severely malnourished and the mother said they don't have enough food to eat at home that is why the boy is malnourished.We health educated her oh how she is supposed to feed the young boy.The poor woman asked us a question at the end and we had no answer to give.She said "yes i have learned how to feed my baby but where shall i get the feeds yet we even have nothing to eat at home.We did not have some spacial feeds for malnutrition at the clinic to give.We decided to just take away the baby from her and was taken to a children home"
2. Malaria is the most common disease affecting the people in Uganda most especially in Jinja district where it has pulled down the life expectancy compared to other places in Uganda.Life expectancy for Jinja district is 49 years compared to the national life expectancy which is 50 years.It has been also estimated that 28children die every day in Jinja district because of malaria. Malaria disease can be easily prevented and every time we go to the poor communities deep in the villages to healthy educate the public about malaria preventive methods,the people understand well how to prevent the disease.But the reason as to why malaria is the commonest disease affecting and killing the people in the poor communities,it is because the people can't afford to buy the matrials used to prevent malaria like mosquito nets,mosquito reperant and prophylaxis treatment.
3. John is an orphan,5years old,he lost both his father and mother because of the HIV/Aids.He was tested negative.He was brought to the clinic with high fever of 42.1 degrees Celsius by the relative at mafubira community clinic.He had rigor chills because of the intoxication produced by the plasmodiam malarea micro organism which also leads the high fever.We did not do a blood slide for microscopy because we don't have a microscope. so we treated clinically but there was no improvement.We referred them to a better hospital but they did not have any money.I pulled out the little money i was left with and gave them to go for a laboratory check up,only to realize it was a different type of malaria caused by plasmodiam vivax and that is why it was not responding to the treatment we were administering.Malaria is caused by different types of plasmodiam organisms and some times the treatment differ according to which type of organism.The challenge here is lack of a microscope.We pray that one day God will provide one.
4. Health Education :We decided to have healthy education lessons at least once in a week,targeting the orphans,the widows and the very poor people.One day i was giving a healthy talk to the orphans about how to prevent most common communicable diseases among them,like the common cold and diarrhea.I taught them how they are supposed to wash their hands and how they are supposed to cover their mouth when coughing.That very day after the lesson i found some of the kids repeating the same mistakes.I had to repeat the lesson and told them to demonstrate,i even drew pictures for them to see but most important i realized they can understand well, when we use demonstration videos because they love watching videos.But the Challenge is where to get the projector and the DVD player because every time we use a TV some of them complain that they did not see well.