We've had a busy few months here at ETH. We have taken some big steps recently.
We are excited to share with you the news we are now a 501(c)3 organization! This means that all donations to Empower Through Health is tax-deductible. If you have made a donation to us in the past and you would like an acknowledgement form, we are happy to send it to you. Just send us an e-mail to admin@ethealth.org.
We are grateful that we can continue providing healthcare for the 70,000 people in our catchment area who would not otherwise have modern healthcare. Below you can read about some of the exciting happenings for ETH in the last couple of months!
Free Treatment Days
Last year, our Mpunde Health Center opened, serving an estimated 70,000 people in our catchment area comprising of 54 villages. The most common health concerns were malaria and the lack of maternal health services. The situation was appalling, with many malaria related deaths among children under five and tales of women delivering by the roadside on the way to the distant health centers.
In addition to our regular health services, we held a number of free health screenings and free treatment days.
In particular, Dr. Timothy Blackwell, Professor and Ralph and Lulu Owen Chair in Medicine at Vanderbilt University, held a free screening of 169 people for Tuberculosis (TB) and treated TB cases and other respiratory diseases accordingly. 16 suspected TB cases were identified to undergo further tests and treatment. TB management remains a challenge as communities are not sensitized about the disease. In the future, Mpunde Health Center hopes to become a TB and HIV screening and management center in Buyende district. Dr. Timothy Blackwell is the father of Scott Blackwell, the Field Director for ETH.
We held two free treatment days at the health center attracting over 497 residents from 54 villages. Out of the 497 people seen in two days, 243 people were positive for malaria and received free treatment. The rest were diagnosed and treated for other health problems including hypertension, urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, peptic ulcer disease, diabetes, helminthiasis, constipation, among others.
The free treatment days further strengthened our resolve to assist vulnerable communities to live good health and human dignity by providing healthcare access, conducting research and empowering communities. You and your friends can join us plan and have more free treatment days. We are excited to partner with you!
Global Health Interns and Summer Visits
This summer, ETH hosted a number of friends in Uganda! Among these were three MPH students at Saint Louis University completing their practicums with ETH!
This summer, we hosted our very first interns! Jade Conway, Ashley Underwood and Rachael Jeffrey, pursuing masters in Public Health at Saint Louis University, USA interned at ETH for ten weeks. The three were co-investigators in a maternal and childcare study led by ETH-U Executive Director, Ibrahim Ssekalo. The study aimed to explore the factors affecting maternal and child health care utilization and map an appropriate way forward with community involvement in highlighting these factors. Jade, Ashley, and Rachael lived in Mpunde for six weeks, riding motorcycle taxis to reach remote areas and interviewing mothers.
We are all excited to hear about their findings that will help inform better evidence-based planning and policy change for better healthcare services in Buyende district and Uganda at large.
If you are interested in volunteering or visiting our site in Uganda, please feel free to send an e-mail to admin@ethealth.org!