St Andrew's
Clinics for Children issues two newsletters a year, one in the summer and
one at Christmas.
Children in Sierra Leone, receiving
health care from funds provided by STACC, are encouraged as follows “Dis
fri welbodi biznes, na fo hol am wit two an O.” In translation this
catchword reads “This free health care, you must hold it with both hands.”
STACC has continued to underpin
basic health care for children in six African countries despite the difficult
financial situation at home. The increased funding for health care
approved by STACC’s Directors in 2009 has been sustained and about 95% of
the money STACC receives is still spent directly in Africa to deliver free
health care to poor children. The remainder covers audit fees, insurance
premiums, publicity and postage.
In Sierra Leone the programme established by STACC/SL, offering school-age
children relief from intestinal worm infections, has delivered about half
a million free treatments since 2004. This programme has now been incorporated
into the government’s national programme. STACC/SL’s team is continuing
to provide free treatments and is helping to train government staff to manage
“deworming” procedures. The team is also running clinics for young
children and is providing health care for other children in various locations.
In January 2010, Mrs Cole, who runs an orphanage in Freetown, wrote “With
much pleasure and delight of taking this opportunity to convey greetings
and best wishes for the great assistance you have been rendering to us.”
In Nigeria STACC ILE-IFE continues to deliver excellent free health care
for children under fives through its mobile clinics. A typical month’s work
for the team is as follows: run 15 clinics for 8 rural communities; diagnose
and treat 701 young children ranging in age from 1 to 60 months (362 boys
and 339 girls). Treatments include 244 cases of malaria, 184
cases of upper respiratory tract infection, and 71 cases of gastroenteritis.
The clinics in Imesi-Ile are held in the royal palace where, in appreciation
of the provision of free health care for children, the Kabiyesi, HRM Oba
Enoch Ademola Akinyemi Oyoyo II Owa OOye treated the health team to royal
hospitality.
In Uganda STACC has continued to provide funds to help with the cost of running
the Children’s Ward at St Kizito Hospital, Matany. Until recently,
STACC covered about a third of the annual running costs, but this fraction
will now decline because an 80 bed extension for children has been added
to the hospital. Nevertheless, STACC is committed to doing as much
as possible to support this wonderful facility in Uganda.
In Zanzibar (Tanzania) the refurbished clinic at Gombani, Pemba Island, with
funds provided by STACC and the Ivo de Carneri Foundation, is proving to
be a most welcome addition to health care. The outreach service has continued
to offer care to families not living within walking distance of Gombani.
About 22,000 patient consultations are held annually on Pemba Island. In
February 2010 the Minister of Health and Social Welfare of the Zanzibar Revolutionary
Government wrote to STACC as follows “The Gombani Clinic for Children is
an exemplary project providing free, good quality health services to the
poorest sections of the community of Pemba Island. We particularly appreciate
the very hard work of fund raising by you all, especially during the present
world financial crisis. Without people like you and those that support
your charitable institution our efforts for providing children with quality
health care would be in vain.”
In Kenya, the BION project for Maasai children living around Lake Magadi
has regained its impact thanks to the return of the rains and the subsequent
recovery of cattle for the pasture. Activities to avoid or manage episodes
of malaria continue to have the highest priority. Mosquitoes, the transmitters
of malaria parasites, also depend on water to breed and an increase in cases
of malaria may occur now that water is again plentiful.
In Ghana, STACC GHANA is now at work using primary schools in Bongo District
as outlets for free health care for school-age children, whether they actually
attend school or not. Surveys of health status have been carried out,
dental treatment is on offer and worm infections are being treated.
Infection with the worm Schistosoma haematobium has become a serious problem.
This infection, like malaria, is water related. Irrigation in Bongo
District has improved crop production and food supply, but has created the
habitat for the snails that are essential for the worm’s development.
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Sir James Armour has decided to step down as Chairman of STACC’s Board of Directors, a position he has held for 15 years. During his tenure, STACC has grown and been sustained by his guidance and wisdom. Sir James deserves our sincerest and warmest thanks. Happily, Professor Peter Holmes has agreed to take on the responsibility of leading STACC into the years ahead.
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Please continue to support STACC. Please do not let the current financial situation reduce health care for poor and needy children.