St Andrew's
Clinics for Children issues two newsletters a year, one in the summer and
one at Christmas.
Yanmuyanmu nse fuja lailapa. The mosquito brags despite its lack of arms.
(From “Yoruba Proverbs” by Oyekan Owomoyela, 2005, University of Nebraska
Press)
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St Andrew’s Clinics for Children began charitable work in September 1992 in Sierra Leone. In the early days a few thousand pounds covered the cost of the work in Sierra Leone but now, with STACC projects in five other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, expenditure has greatly increased. The higher level of provision for health care approved by STACC’s directors means that at least £90,000 is required annually to ensure that free diagnosis and treatment are available for thousands of poor children. The directors and the health care teams in Africa are most grateful for the faithful support from the community of donors who generously ensure that children have access to health care.
In the 2009 Newsletter we reported that in Sierra Leone the programme established by STACC/SL, offering school-age children relief from intestinal worm infections, had delivered about half a million treatments since 2004. This effort is now part of the government’s national programme and more than one million children have been treated to relieve them from the burden of intestinal worm infections. In the UK such infections have been confined to history. In Africa the worms cause nausea, abdominal pain, impaired digestion and absorption, and reduced growth rate for millions of children. Some die from intestinal obstructions caused by a tangled mass of worms. The continuing efforts of STACC/SL have been acknowledged in an article shortly to appear in the journal International Health. The journal does not list the many friends whose gifts have provided this health care for children, but we know and extend our thanks.
In Nigeria STACC ILE-IFE continues to deliver excellent free health care for children under five through monthly mobile clinics. Each month the team holds 16 clinics in locations in Ile-Ife and surrounding communities. In May this year, 712 children (372 boys and 340 girls) were treated for various ailments. Of these, 247 were found to have malaria. In August 1897 Ronald Ross discovered that malaria pathogens were carried by mosquitoes and, hopeful that malaria would soon be overcome, he wrote “I know this little thing [the discovery] a myriad men will save.” His prediction has still to come true, but the lives of children served by STACC ILE-IFE are saved thanks to your support.
In Uganda STACC has continued to provide funds to help with the cost of running the Children’s Ward at St Kizito Hospital, Matany. STACC’s contribution now amounts to 21% of the annual running costs of the ward. An extension with more beds has been added to the hospital. During the second half of 2010, the hospital had to admit 4570 children to the ward. Despite the extra provision each bed often supports more than one patient at once, while other sick children lie with mothers on mats on the floor.
In Zanzibar (Tanzania) the refurbished clinic at Gombani, Pemba Island, with funds provided by STACC and the Ivo de Carneri Foundation, has strengthened the provision of health care for the many children there. The outreach service has continued to support families living beyond walking distance of Gombani. There is nothing new to report, just the reassuring message that some 22,000 consultations and treatments free of charge are sustained and helped to occur annually thanks to the support that STACC offers through your donations.
In Kenya, the BION programme ( Biotisho-o-ntomonko-o-nkerra, meaning health for children and mothers) serving the Maasai community near Lake Magadi has continued to train mothers about preventing malaria in their children, primarily though the provision of bednets. Training also focuses on avoiding conditions leading to diarrhoea. With the Ministry of Health the programme has been raising health awareness in schools. Children serve as agents of change concerning health awareness to the benefit of the whole family.
In Ghana, STACC GHANA is currently consulting with Bongo District administrators to mobilize the community to clean the irrigation canals of the vegetation where snails flourish. The snails are involved in exposing the children to the water-borne pathogenic agent of schistosomiasis (Bilharzia). By the time you receive the next Newsletter, the children will have benefitted from their annual free deworming treatment.
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Please continue to support STACC and so help to provide free health care for needy children.