It was in October last year; 2012 when the OPD and Maternity construction took off. This marks the beginning of construction of the second phase of the Community Health Centre that on top of the current Robert Cooley Pediatric clinic and daycare for malnourished children and the OPD- Maternity; will latter on include in patient wards, HIV/AIDS special clinic, Surgical theatre and training wing for paramedics that will serve Papoli village and beyond.
Looking at the population of Papoli community of well over 5,050 people, it leaves a lot to be desired in the life of an ordinary villager on where to look for even very simple rudimentary medical treatment. Good health as a basic is key to human social concerns as the saying goes “health is wealth”. Indeed the OPD/Maternity construction is at advanced stage and community members who have fully participated in the work are looking forward to seeing it opened fully functional by next July/ Summer.
One can not hesitate to say that Papoli is really a blessed village with the soon opening OPD and maternity.
Public Health services in Uganda, like a number of developing countries is very poor in quality and also scattered several miles apart; the community of Papoli looks at the OPD and maternity as a messenger of hope because they believe strongly that:-
- The community members will have dependable and quality medical care within the locality;
- Better services shall be availed to the community as compared to other health centers that are located miles off, but also due to the fact that the community members own and control the facilities for they fully participated in construction and are represented in the facility management and governance board;
- Vaccination against the six killer diseases will be effected right from child delivery.
- The ratio of nurse to patient will definitely reduce thus 1:20 patients in a day;
- A programme for Care and support for people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS will expand (counseling, testing and holistic family support) to those who are hopeless so that life is restored;
- Emergency cases shall be handled with ease for community members and the motorist on Mombasa- Kampala- Kigali highway;
- The community will minimize health related costs, transport and other related costs will be reduced or minimized because there will be no more long distance coverage in search for health services and costs at the OPD- maternity will be affordable.
The community jubilation is beyond health sector only, but also the business sector is looking forward to seeing their businesses boom because they will be selling their surplus goods to the patients so as to generate income for example selling healthy foods which include fresh fruits and vegetables.
Other community members are targeting employment as laborers.
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