This caters for about 1800 patients. Of which 231 are HIV+ children and 559 HIV+ adults. However support is not limited to HIV+ OVCs ,HIV- OVCs are also catered for.

Background

HopeAgain Medical Centre was started in April 2005 in the town of Kaihura Trading Centre to help reach out to the HIV/AIDS affected families, the orphan child and the entire community of Kyenjojo District.

Our mission is to reach out to the community with compassion and love. Objectives;

Orphans, families and communities living with HIV/AIDS by offering comprehensive care and support. We have been able to achieve this through provision of the following services;

v HIV testing and counseling services

v Prophylaxis and treatment of opportunistic infections

v Ongoing counseling and support

v Home-based care

v Behavior change communication

v Provision of other clinical care especially malaria and other communicable diseases

v Post test Club

v PMTCT

A patient Being received By A member Of Staff

Our clinical staff

Comprises a clinical officer, two enrolled nurses, a laboratory assistant, two nursing assistant a cashier/receptionist, and a cleaner. We have been effectively delivering services to the community in our catchments population.

A Member of Staff taking in a Patient for Treatment.

HIV counseling, testing services

The testing and counseling has been very significant in treating those children found positive in the community. Most of these children have lost both parent and in the care of grand mothers, who watch and wait to see these children die. The medical centre has tested then, transported then to JCRC (43Km) to Fort portal, and also helped incur other cost that JCRC does not provide like x-rays, and medical treatment and also helped improve on the nutrition complement of the same child.

Free treatment to the orphans. More than 360 children have received free treatment for various kinds of ailments including admissions for a day or two in some cases.

Clinical care-diagnosis and treatment of common illness

The entire community of Kyenjojo District has been able to benefit from the centre at a very low cost, we only add from 10% - 20% on cost of all the drugs purchased and this income from the community has enabled us to care for the HIV+ children who requires transportation to Fort portal every Wednesday and some widows who seriously need CD4 count done but lack transport. The community pays 1000 Shs for consultation, and between 1000 – 2000 for laboratory testing. The funds also help in caring for some day today expenses of the clinic.

An OVC getting Tested at HopeAgain Medical Centre in Kaihura.

Treatment of opportunistic infections

All HIV+ adults and children who have been tested and registered with us receive free treatment of any ailment that they are experiencing. This has greatly improved on the health of those found positive in the community.

The challenge of CD4 and transport to Fortpotal has remained a big problem to the poor in our communities especially the widows and Orphans since one can not access ARVs without it being it done. This cost about 11000 in Fort portal excluding transport to Fortpotal.

We are looking out for assistance to purchase a van at a cost of $8000 which will enable us transport not only the children but also the widows who have a challenge to travel to Fort portal for treatment due to this machine that is a necessity in access of ARVs.

Collaboration with Joint Clinical Research Centre in Fort Portal for ARV provision to the orphans in out care.

We have had collaboration with JCRC for about 7months now. JCRC provides free CD4 count test for all our children especially orphans and also to their caretakers, that is if a child is found positive and the care taker, i.e mother, father or grandmother is found positive they will be offered free treatment and CD4 testing. This has been a great contribution to the treatment of our children and many of the Adults. The financial challenge remains to the others who are not having children or caretakers of affected children.

Constraints

Inadequate resources

The key areas that need help – Drug, testing Kits, Staff salaries

Small premises

Better place for counseling room, and also inpatient. The need for inpatient is very high especially in children and adults with severe malaria.