Medical Clinic

Medical Centre MDG's

International Support Aid Australia (ISAA) is currently in the process of establishing a medical centre on the grounds of our children’s home in Jinja. This project is directly related to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); eight goals agreed to by the world’s countries and leading development institutions as a blueprint to meet the needs of the world’s poor by 2015.

In particular, the establishment of a medical centre is directly linked to the following goals:

Goal 4 – Reduce child mortality; Goal 5 – Improve maternal health; and Goal 6 – Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

The ability of countries to meet these three health-related goals is interlinked with their ability to meet the other MDGs relating to poverty reduction, literacy, gender equality and environmental sustainability and establishing a global partnership for development, with the achievement of one MDG impacting the others. In fact, the three health-related MDGs are particularly important to achieve, as healthy communities are dependant upon healthy children and adults, who are able to lead productive, active lives.

Ill health is both a leading cause and consequence of poverty. Ill health increases household expenditure due to medical expenses, results in loss of productivity and income through inability to work, and sees children miss out on schooling through both ill health and needing to look after sick family members. These costs of ill health are crippling to those already living in poverty, and can also rapidly see others fall into the trap of poverty. It is for these and many other reasons that tackling the health-related MDGs are so important.

Despite the fact that the health care infrastructure in Uganda remains fractured and hollow, with many facilities reporting shortages of staff, drugs and other supplies, and with access to health care by those most vulnerable members of the community, such as orphans and vulnerable children, remaining limited, it is encouraging to know that the health-related MDGs are still achievable in Uganda by 2015.

ISAA is keen to assist the communities in which we work in to meet these MDGs on a local level, and is actively supporting the establishment of a medical centre in the community in which we operate. However, we can only do this with your help. With the help of general public donations and corporate sponsors, International Support Aid can further develop our community medical centre and help to transform the lives of those whom we seek to help – the vulnerable, the orphans, the widows and the marginalised.

Medical Clinic

Medical Centre & Community Training (MED)

CARE Medical Centre: Extending Care to the Community 24/7

Background: Uganda, Sub-Saharan Africa

In Uganda millions of children suffer daily as a result of AIDS, malaria, lack of clean water and other preventable diseases. These barriers prevent children from having a bright and healthy future.

The Real Facts are:

AIDS deaths in Uganda 2005 (adults and children) over 91,000

Adults and children living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda (2005) 0ver 1,000,000

Children Orphaned by AIDS in Uganda 2005 (under 18 years old) over 1,000,000

Globally it is estimated that a child loses a parent to AIDS every 14 seconds.

A child dies of malaria every 30 seconds.

On average a child has four episodes of malaria a year, and any of them could be fatal.

Up to 100,000 children under 5 years of age, die annually from Malaria in Uganda.

For the 26 million people living in Uganda there are just a few hospitals and the majority of these hospitals are in very poor condition.

PHASE 1: Built Medical Centre

International Support Aid Australia (ISAA) is committed to the health needs of Uganda. Through your generous support in 2008, Phase 1 saw the completion of a 15 room medical centre. In addition a 40ft container of medical equipment is now on site in Uganda and another is currently being filled and will be shipped over as soon as funds are made available.

Partnership Opportunity: CARE4Kids Medical Centre (MED)

PHASE 2: Complete the Medical Centre

Partner with us to complete phase 2 which will finish the plumbing, septics, painting, ceilings, toilets and internal fitting and fixtures and staffing.

The Benefits and Services this will provide are:

Improved and better access to health services in Wanyange and neighbouring districts. Services include

General Practice, Admissions (both general and paediatric), Maternity, Pharmacy, Laboratory, Pathology and Dental facilities.

Raising awareness of health issues (such as HIV/AIDS)

Training for over100 community based health workers

Improving nutrition, immunisation and mother/child services

Provide opportunities for short-term medical teams to exchange skills and knowledge as well as provide medical care.

Provide quality medical care for the children in the CARE4Kids homes

Provide 24 hours care and short-term admission facility for up to 15 patients.

Testing, treatment and prevention training for malaria and other diseases will be a focal point of the centre.

Together we can complete this essential medical centre.

This will provide a chance for many disadvantaged children and marginalised people to receive quality medical care and avoid preventable loss of lives.

The partnership we have with you is greatly valued and we invite you to join with us in this project and help us make a significant difference in Uganda.

Budget: Call to Action

Total Annual Costs: $31,875

(Consumables & Medication - $6250)

(Salaries 3 Nurses, 2 Clinical Officers, 1 Pharmacist - $15,000)

(Utilities - $8750)

Community & Staff training $1,875

Painting, Mesh Screens, Ceilings, benches/basins, Septics & Plumbing $37,500

IT & Administration Set-up $2,500

Donations within Australia for Development Projects of $2 or more are tax-deductible.

ISAA is committed to reducing poverty and empowering underprivileged and exploited children,widows and marginelised people and communities in Uganda.

If you wish to help by making a donation, cheques made payable to International Support Aid Australia can be sent to PO Box 525, Box Hill, VIC 3128. EFT payments can be made directly into the following account: ANZ Bank

Acc. Name: ISAA Project Account

BSB: 013225

Acc. No: 902584914