Tekera Health Clinic
Tekera Health Clinic was the
first service offered by TRC when it began in January 2006. The Clinic
began with an outdoor needs assessment and treatment sessions on the
grounds of the centre, before the clinic was built. After 5 months of
these weekly clinics, the permanent building was opened on June 27th
2006 and began receiving patients on a daily basis. Now the Clinic is
registered Level II and is staffed by a registered nurse. Level II means that the Clinic operates during day-light
hours only and does not admit patients. It is one of the busiest areas
of the centre and caters to about 25-40 patients
a day. Services offered include treatment of acute and chronic medical
conditions, counseling, family planning, health education, immunizations
and referrals.
Because there is no
transport in the area, we often act as an ambulance service. Patients
are placed inside the vehicle and taken to either Masaka Mulago
(government hospital) or Kitovu
hospital. Currently, there is no charge. There is also follow-ups by
staff to ensure the patient is properly cared for.
Patients can pay for the
services and drugs by using the Tekera Peso or Ugandan shillings. The
Clinic is open Monday-Friday during
daylight hours including holidays.
The Clinic also works in the area of health education and has held
several community information sessions on topics such as family
planning, home births and children’s health. All school children have a
health check day at the beginning of every term. Things like lice,
jiggers and anything that appears neglected is dealt with at the clinic.
Parents are summonsed to approve the treatment. All children are given
de-worming medicine. The Centre also hosts
a drama and music group from TASO (The Aids Support Organization)
Uganda, who sensitized inhabitants of the area about HIV/AIDS.
Four times a year the Clinic hosts the Uganda Blood Transfusion
Services, which comes to the centre to take blood donations from locals.
This blood is also tested for HIV and STIs and the results are available
from the Clinic if patients wish to receive them.
The Clinic also hosts a district outreach clinic from the Ministry of
Health which provides free immunizations to children aged 0-6
years. The immunizations take place every month at the Clinic.
Immunizations provided are the standard childhood vaccines including TB,
polio, diphtheria and measles.
In April 2008, services were
expanded to include a dental clinic. See
Dental Clinic
for details. |
