In Africa many people die from diseases that are simply, easily and cheaply preventable or treatable: malaria, diarrhoea, respiratory infections and malnutrition.
In areas with Malaria the use of mosquito bed-nets and administration of high-dose vitamin A can halve the death rate of children under 5.
Since 2010 we have provided communities in eastern Uganda with a total of 2300 mosquito nets and funded the drugs and vitamin A for mobile clinics.
We have funded the construction of a Health Centre in the village of Busamaga. This was opened in December 2015 and is now serving the community. SHAPE funding now supports the operation of this Health Centre and pays for some staff salaries, ongoing drugs and medicine supplies and medical equipment.
How we have been helping
- Uganda: Since the opening of the Busamaga Health Centre, built and funded by SHAPE, we have continued to support its operation through a SHAPE representative on the local management committee, and by providing funds to pay part of the costs associated with medicines, equipment, salaries and other running costs. Our long term aim is that routine costs will at some time all be funded by the Ugandan Health Authority and from revenues. Dr Fletcher visited the health centre in Nov 2016 to review progress in its operation and a report of this visit can be found through the links above or below.
How you can help
July 2023
The past 24 months have been most challenging as we recover form Covid and were able to restart our fundraising activities. We are grateful to the Rotary Club of Cheltenham for their generous donations that have helped our work continue including a grant to pay the salary of the Health Centre lab technician. Our ongoing work also continues due the most generous donations and regular standing orders that help replenish our funds. Our visit to the Health Centre in February was a great success and news of that trip will be published shortly.
Health Centre Statistics. The figures below show the totals for the period 9th January 2023 to 2nd July 2023. It is particularly pleasing to see the number of successful live births continuing, and also the continued success with outpatients and child immunisations in the Health Centre and surrounding district.
Out Patients 951
Maternity 32 (all live births)
Antenatal Care 228
Immunisation 898
Family Planning 74
Late 2021 – Building Emergency!! The Health Centre reported that heavy rains had undermined the foundations of the toilet block and needed urgent repairs. SHAPE donated £500 and the local Busamaga community raised £330 amongst themselves to pay for the urgent work.