DR AMBROSOLI MEMORIAL HEALTH CENTRE
Dr Ambrosoli Memorial Health Centre is in Kaliro in the Kaliro District, Uganda - about 3 hours north of Jinja and about 4 hours North East of Kampala. It is run by a remarkable couple called Margaret and Denis Onyot; Margaret is a doctor, specialising in maternity care; Denis is a trained lab professional.
The centre has an average daily attendance of 10-15 patients and there are 2-3 deliveries each day. Although predominately providing maternity care, the centre is also a welcoming haven for anyone unwell in the area addressing other diseases such as malaria, HIV and typhoid. Moreover, Margaret and Denis and their team provide a vital service through visiting local villages to inoculate new-born babies whose mothers are unable to make the journey to the hospital - crucial for the prevention of lethal but common diseases.
Improved maternity health is an essential part of Uganda’s healthcare provision and is targeted through Goal 5 of the Millennium Development Goal initiative. Maternal mortality shows the greatest disparity among countries: in sub-Saharan Africa, a woman’s risk of dying from treatable or preventable complications of pregnancy and childbirth over the course of her lifetime is 1 in 22, compared to 1 in 7,300 in developed regions.
With your support there are many simple improvements that can be made to the hospital which would greatly increase the effectiveness of the centre and so help many people in and around Kaliro.
Initial objectives
To provide basic equipment for the 19 existing rooms – a new delivery bed and equipment, weighing scales for adults and children, height measuring scale, 30 mosquito nets, 30 mattresses, sheets and blankets, bandages and dressings, immunization kits and a fridge for medicines.
To acquire additional mosquito nets to supply the surrounding villages to reduce the high incidence of malaria in the area
To install a solar-powered generator to provide back-up electricity when power cuts out
Subsequent objectives
To complete the maternity section of the centre
To create and equip a new laboratory for medical tests
To install a rain water collection system so as to enable fresh water to be available on tap
This project is being co-ordinated by Laura Griffith-Jones and Emily Colville. Laura spent four months in Kaliro in 2006, living with Margaret and Denis and their 11 children, teaching in the local school and helping in the health centre. In May this year, she is returning to Uganda to meet with Peter Owor (new overseer on the ground) and others at the centre, to get the project underway. Emily, who will be helping her in this project, will be joining her there in June. Following this, they will both be climbing to Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit to raise further funds for this great cause.
If you would like further details or to donate, please visit Laura and Emily’s Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/helpkaliro
Your support is much appreciated.
