Introduction
In the year 2005, we had 26 children in the waiting list of children
living with HIV since we had no resources to render any form of medical
support to them. The services that cost minimal such as psychosocial
support and health education were provided on a monthly basis. Sadly,
6 out of those children succumbed to HIV related complication before
help was available in the beginning of 2006.
This was the first wake-up call. Since then, we purposed to seek support
to ensure that medical support was always available for children living
with HIV.
A leap into this initiative was made when AGNT-Action For Global NetWork,
a US based organization and Mile Hi church offered to off-set the set-up
cost of the dispensary and availed for its launch in March 2007. This
was followed by their consent to purchase a vehicle for mobile health
services into the rural communities where the services are unavailable.
It is with this understanding that we launched a dispensary and Mobile
health services with emphasis on child health care in March 2007. To
the same, we are constructing a pediatric hospital with a bed capacity
of 105. This also features awareness creation on HIV/AIDS through campaigns,
trainings, focus group discussions, educative resources speeches and
materials, and voluntary counseling and testing for HIV.
Who
we are/Services:
RI has found it essential that health provision to children particularly
those living with HIV be provided in a structured manner. Since inception
in 2002, RI provided such services in collaboration with the District
hospital but due to capacity limitations, many children especially those
with traumatized caregivers have restricted the health care of the children
to their convenience.
It is with this understanding that we launched a dispensary and Mobile
health services with emphasis on child health care in March 2007. To
the same, we are constructing a pediatric hospital with a bed capacity
of 105. This also features awareness creation on HIV/AIDS through campaigns,
trainings, focus group discussions, educative resources speeches and
materials, and voluntary counseling and testing for HIV.
Mission
and Vision:
Vision Statement
To improve the health status of orphaned and vulnerable children especially
those living with HIV by providing and facilitating access to medical
care.
Mission
Provide efficient, affordable health services to children. Ensure and
promote the physical, social, emotional and spiritual well being of
every child. Protect and promote the rights and interests of every child
especially those living with HIV. Educate the community especially caregivers
on the health needs of the children.
Objectives
1. To provide curative and preventive health services in favour of children
2. To protect the children against discrimination and neglect particularly
in health care.
3. To create linkages for referral and networking for provision of comprehensive
health services
4. To ensure that health services are accessible to orphaned and vulnerable
children irrespective of their HIV status, social-economic background,
colour, race, gender or tribe.
Achievements
& Challenges:
Achievements
- Rendered quality and affordable medical services to the community.
- Successful launch and sustaining of static VCT activities since in
2003
- Successful launch and sustaining of mobile VCT services in 2006
- Promoted the physical, social, emotional and spiritual well being
of children
- Protected the rights and interests of children especially those living
with HIV
- Supported the reduction of stigma among children, community and caregivers
- Educated the community especially caregivers on the health needs of
the children.
Future
Plans:
- Equipping of the already constructed pediatric hospital to make it
operational by 2009.
- Conduct research on the health needs of children in the region
- Create high profile medical consultancy for a referral hospital
- Set-up an endowment to fund operational budgets for services to be
affordable and accessible |
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