Improving Maternal Health at Kamuli

Building a Sustainable Future

"Kamuli Mission Hospital is typical of many private, not-for-profit hospitals, which deliver healthcare to poor rural communities across Uganda in East Africa. Located 70 km north of Jinja, KMH serves a population of in excess of 750,000 people in a low resource setting with limitations of staff, medical equipment and vital medications. The hospital faces a daily struggle to manage obstetric emergencies, road traffic accidents, severe burns and infectious diseases such as malaria and HIV. In the face of such adversity, the staff greet each patient, each visitor and each day with a smile and warmth that is the key ingredient to the spirit of Kamuli Mission Hospital."

Dr Jim McWhirter of Henley Bridge Rotary Club first visited Kamuli six years ago as a volunteer with the Rotary Doctor Bank scheme. Recently retired from general practice in South Oxfordshire he had tried to prepare for his work in Africa, but what he found came as a real shock.  "Nothing can prepare you for the reality of experience here ........ it is just a completely different world"

Working with Rotary Doctor Bank, Friends of Kamuli Hospital, Medicaudit in Uganda and supported by many Rotary clubs and individual donors, much has been achieved since to greatly improve facilities at the hospital. The extension to the maternity facilities supported by a Rotary Global Grant is a culmination of some of this work.

Refurbishing and extending the maternity ward and old operating theatre

In December 2013, Rotary District 1090, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Kyambogo-Kampala was successful in securing a Rotary International Global Grant of $81,242. This building project, led by the Rotary Club of Henley Bridge was combined with Vocational Training Team visits, led by the Rotary Club of Elthorne Hillingdon. The total value of the two projects was $233,725, with additional funds coming from clubs in District 1090, District Foundation funds, Friends of Kamuli, and numerous individual donors. Strong financial and administrative support has been provided by Rotary Doctor Bank in the UK and Medicaudit in Uganda. 

The building work was finaly completed in November 2014 - see the slideshow at the top of this page. and download Jim's newsletter. The strong partnerships formed bode well for a bright and sustainable future for the hospital and maternal healthcare in the area. 

Read more about the Vocational Training Team visits.

Further building work at the hospital continues through Kamuli Friends, led by Dr Philip Unwin. Read more.....

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