WHIPPS CROSS-MASAKA HOSPITAL LINK

By Carolyne Barber, Senior Nurse, St Joseph’s Hospice, Hackney.

On October 6th 2002, a medical team from Whipps Cross hospital flew out to Uganda for the third time. The team comprised of three doctors and three nurses. Whipps Cross hospital now has an established link with Masaka hospital, which has been facilitated by The Tropical Health Education Trust (THET). Our primary function is education. Our Ugandan colleagues had stipulated a great need for education regarding emergency medicine and caring for dying patients, particularly those that are afflicted with HIV and AIDS.

As you are aware the resources in Ugandan hospitals are virtually nil. Masaka is no exception. Without basic supplies of water, electricity, medicines, dressings and food it is impossible to know where to begin. When we returned we found that all these hardships are still there. People are dying in pain and distress, people are dying needlessly from "curable" diseases, people are starving, going without food for many, many hours.

We arrived at Entebbe airport. We were greeted at the airport by Dr Daniel Murokora and David Nuwamanya (hospital administrator). We were greeted like long lost friends which was wonderful. Despite an overnight flight we had a full days work ahead starting in the capital city of Kampala. The money raised by Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead enabled us to purchase vital medical supplies that can be bought in Africa, but at a price that can never be reached by the general population. Supplies that we take for granted in England. The supplies bought included examination trolleys, drip stands, medicine cupboards, basic resuscitation equipment that will save lives, vital drugs for emergency and palliative care (care of the dying). A petrol generator was also purchased to provide basic power for hospital lighting when the electricity is down (which was regularly). This equipment and much more was then transported by lorry 150km to the small town of Masaka. At Masaka hospital we were greeted with sheer delight, people were overwhelmed with the supplies purchased. At this point we were thinking of all you parishioners in Wanstead because without your help we would not have been able to provide these gifts.

The money raised also enabled us to hire local plumbers, electricians, carpenters and painters so that the emergency room could be built. We only had ten days to get this done so time was tight. We did meet our target, the emergency room was officially opened by very important Ugandan government officials. (This was arranged by the Ugandan hospital team without our prior knowledge) A plaque was dedicated bearing the name of the emergency room which specially mentions our parish of OLOL. Everyone was delighted and expressed their sincere thanks to you all. We even had a slot on national Ugandan television and the newspapers. That's how grateful they are. (It is not the norm to make such a fuss in Uganda).

Our work did not end there. As well as renovating the emergency room we spent our days teaching, working on the wards and clinics. It was here that reality hit you. I witnessed patients dying in terrible pain. Thankfully for some we were able to provide much needed painkillers and because of this I witnessed some patients die in peace. The painful fact is that despite our efforts, many will die in pain because the numbers dying from AIDS at Masaka hospital is huge. I also had the honour of visiting dying patients in their homes. Homes made of mud with holes in the walls that let the rain in. The gardens of these homes consisted of small banana plantations. In these plantations were freshly dug graves. Many, many graves of family members of the dying patients gone before, sometimes only days before. Many of the patients told me that they too would soon be buried there. All the patients that I visited were below the age of forty. Most were in their late twenties. Some of the patients were so hungry that they had to eat grasshoppers and ants to supplement their diet. The day I spent in the village will remain with me for the rest of my days. The other members of our team also experienced many harrowing things during the course of their work.

Time passed by too quickly for us. We did not feel ready to leave, there is so much work to be done. That is why we will be returning next year and for many years to come, please God. Not only do we have a link with the people of Masaka we have made wonderful friends too.
Thank you dear parishioners for helping us to help those who need it most. Please pray for Masaka hospital, its staff and patients. God bless you all.
WHIPPS CROSS TEAM: Dr Charlie O’Donnell: Senior nurse Shirlene Jones; Tansy Atkinson (project manager and nurse); Dr Lisel Ryatt; Dr David Tibbutt.

 

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