FE  (Initials for  the patient’s name)  3yr old  boy,  whose  parents  left  Rwanda  to  seek refuge in Uganda a few years ago, although unregistered with refugee commission, they were able  to  find  shelter  in  the  nearby  locations.  They originally settled  in Mubende district and started subsistence farming which would get them food to eat but nothing to save.  

FE’s parents were saddened by the ill health of their beloved son.  He had developed fevers, bloody diarrhea, was unable to eat, and generally very weak. The child lost significant amount  of  blood  and  thus  required  a  transfusion. He  had  sought  treatment  from  nearby public  health  facilities  and  as it  is the  norm,  he  couldn’t  get  appropriate  care  since  most of these centers lack drugs, blood for transfusions and sometimes inadequately staffed.

At  that  point,  FE’s  parents  had  no  option, but  to mobilize the little resources  to get transport to transfer the child to Mulago National Referral Hospital-based in Kampala. All they needed  was  to  save  their  child. Upon  arrival  in Mulago, FE was  welcomed  by  passionate doctors;  they  were  willing  to  do  anything  within  their  reach  to  save  the  boy’s  life. However, there wasn’t much to offer as the hospital had run out of antibiotics that FE needed to have his condition treated. Getting blood for transfusion was a challenge too; neither did his father have any money left to buy meds in the outside pharmacies. The situation was too difficult for him (father) to comprehend and he was  begging to wonder whether it was worthy bringing the  son all  the  way to  Mulago  than leaving him (FE) to  die  at  home  where  they  would  not need money to transport the body back in case FE passed on.  His worries increased when he learnt that  his  other  4 children  and wife  might follow suit  since  this  was  a  communicable disease.

It’s was at point that  the  Primary Care  team sought Caring Hands Foundation  (CHF) intervention .We rose to the father’s rescue and we were able to provide a 7 ten day course of antibiotics,  feeds  and  feeding  tube,  pampers,  and  our  team  continuously  provided  health education on proper hygiene and how he could prevent his children from contracting such a disease. We (CHF), the father and primary care team were pleased to see FE back on his feet, playing and able to feed himself. 

FE’s is one of the very many Ugandans who are suffering from curable diseases and yet can’t  provide  for  themselves.  Many  more  patients  at  Mulago  hospital  have  similar  or  worse stories. CHF has a dedicated team that has impacted and will continue to change people’s lives through the love of God bringing restoration, faith and hope by serving one another.

Compiled by

Dr. Kiggundu (Medical Officer, CHIMAMM)