For immediate release: September 14, 2011
Contact:
Elizabeth Parsons, Director of International Projects
Tom Clarke, President & CEO

Bugobero physicians, Dr. Mesa and Dr. Sabiiti, outside the busy Bugobero Health Center IV.

Monday, September 12th, 2011 marked a new record for the Kissito Healthcare International-operated Bugobero Health Center IV in Bugobero Village of the Manafwa District of Uganda. In March of this year, only 20 to 30 patients trickled into the small clinic each day and just over six months later, 483 patients were seen – a run rate of 200,000 patients per year and 19 times as many since Kissito’s initial presence in March.

Kissito has collaborated with the Administration of Manafwa District to transform the former severely under-staffed, under-supplied health facility to one of the District’s most successful and sought-after. Kissito policy is that all services are free of charge and Kissito works alongside government entities and organizations to ensure that all patients receive the medications they need at no cost to them.

At the Bugobero Health Center IV, with some assistance of other supporting healthcare entities, patients are able to be assessed and treated for various diseases and ailments – most commonly malaria, diarrheal and upper respiratory. Additionally, patients are able to receive full gynecological services, labor and delivery services and emergency care. Available operations include cesarean sections, tumor and cyst removal, wound care and bone setting. Every Monday the center provides an HIV clinic and every other Monday children are assessed for malnourishment.

Kissito partner, Jinja-based Serving His Children, manages the malnutrition assessment clinic and will continue to do so until the Kissito-Serving His Children center opens in Bugobero, about a five-minute drive away from the clinic. Severe cases of malnutrition are transferred to Jinja for treatment.

Now that Kissito has two doctors on the ground able to perform surgery, fewer cases are referred to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital (as was formerly the case). According to Uganda Minister of Health standards, every district should have its own referral hospital. The Manafwa District does not yet have its own hospital, Mbale being the closest, so Kissito is currently working to upgrade the Bugobero Health Center IV into the regional referral hospital serving all of Manafwa District.

For more stories about Kissito International initiatives, click here.

About Kissito Healthcare
Founded in 1989, Kissito Healthcare exists solely for the betterment and care of human life. We seek to improve patient outcomes in our domestic and global services through a balanced engagement in academics, research and health care delivery. As a charitable organization, Kissito Healthcare is funded by private and government grants and donations. In nine U.S. facilities, we provide post acute care, chronic disease self –management, long term care, assisted living, Alzheimer/dementia care, specialized respiratory care and employment to more than 800 of the country’s most dedicated and passionate healthcare providers. In our global health initiatives, we provide acute care, primary care, pediatric malnutrition programs, maternal and child health programs, and various research programs related to maternal and child health in the countries of Uganda and Ethiopia. Our global and domestic vision is to develop healthcare delivery systems that lower costs and improve outcomes for the world’s most vulnerable populations where resources are extremely limited.

Our internal culture is intensely guided by our four core values of Integrity, Passion, Excellence, and Respect.