Dinner Meeting at the Heronston Hotel

A most important occassion as Gwyn Thomas was given a certificate by President Win Griffiths recognising his 50 years membership of Rotary. A fantastic achievement Gwyn.

Our guest speaker for the evening was Dr Mikey Bryant, Paediatric Clinical Lead, ELWA Hospital, Liberia. Mikey shared stories of patient care at ELWA hospital, how the program and partnership with Swansea Bay Health Charity has developed, and new site developments.

With a current 120 beds / cribs, the EWLA hospital has been present for over 60 years and cares for a wide range of patients.

With 35 beds on the ward, of which 6 are dedicated to newborn care, and 20 patient beds in the emergency room, the paediatric department is the busiest department in the hospital. A high number of children presenting with malnutrition started a response in July 2019, initially feeding 3 days a week with a small 6 bed unit.

Covid-19 had a huge impact as a far higher number of children presented with malnutrition, requiring expansion of facilities throughout 2020.

Having contended with numerouse challenges, including measles and cholera epidemics, the unit now has a capcity of 20 paediatric beds, 16 IPF beds, 8 newborn care beds and 14 general beds.

To manage future needs the projected capacity is for 30 beds for inpatient care, oxygen capacity for 16 children, 2000 children a month through the outpatent service and the forming of a second hub for emergency triage and assessment treatment.

Mikey took questions from members and was thanked by President WIn Griffiths for a really excellent and informative presentation.