Hi all, this is Judi. My 6 weeks in Uganda went by very quickly. So much is happening! The hospital is seeing more and more patients and are receiving some very critically ill people who are being sent as ‘nowhere else has been able to help’. We saw a few deaths, unfortunately, because of this. We hope to change this as people are educated in the value of early treatment. Many do not come to us first because we charge fees. But the fees are low and inexpensive compared to transport elsewhere or the cost of a funeral!!! We are thankful to now have an incubator for our babies, but still need a warmer for those with hypothermia. We have had a few of those already!
While at the hospital I was able to help the staff in better organization of documents to minimize errors and maximize care. We still have a ways to go, but hopefully we can get some better charts over there to help with this along with other things.
Maggie and I also trained all the staff in CPR and they have already used it 3 times! The first time, Maggie and I were in Kenya. The staff did a wonderful job of working together to try to save the man’s life. There is so much teaching and training to be done with our staff as the model we have is different from anything our staff has seen or taken part in.
was able to help the staff in better organization of documents to minimize errors and maximize care. We still have a ways to go, but hopefully we can get some better charts over there to help with this along with other things. Maggie and I also trained all the staff in CPR and they have already used it 3 times! The first time, Maggie and I were in Kenya. The staff did a wonderful job of working together to try to save the man’s life. There is so much teaching and training to be done with our staff as the model we have is different from anything our staff has seen or taken part in.
We have hired a second doctor, Dr. Chemutai. He is a wonderful addition to our team and a or, Dr. Kipsang. We have a third doctor, Dr. Benjamin, who is on call if needed to assist. These men do so much and see so many different issues.
In Bukwo in general, the Spirit is moving. We are hosting pastors to work through Community Bible Studies, which they then can take to their churches to teach and train. We are making connections with others who are working with men, women and youth who are trying to change the cultural attitudes towards women and help families to be cohesive. There is a lot of promiscuity with resultant STDs and unwanted pregnancies and abortion. One church is going through a Bible study on life and abortion right now. Long story, but Peter and Maggie know the author of this study who is from the US! Two of our staff are also pastors so they try to fill the role as chaplain as best they can.
Work is continuing on our kitchen/restaurant. We are excited for this to be completed as we will better be able to serve our patients and the income made from the restaurant will help support the hospital. We will always have some who come needing care who cannot pay. And some need to go to another facility for surgery and sometimes we will help with that need. So any way we can make an income helps to offset these costs! We hope to be open soon!
We are also excited to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of the opening of the hospital on June 28!!!! Rejoice with us!
Ways to pray:
· Wisdom for the staff as they often deal with very critically ill patients with little equipment
· Have the medication and supplies in stock for whatever situation may walk through the door
· All the logistics of trying to run a top rate hospital in a third world country (hard to find meds and supplies and everything takes forever to do!)
· Stamina for Maggie and the staff
· Peter and Maggie as they seek to advance the kingdom of God and be good stewards
· God to supply all the needs, finances, good staff, etc.
· Pray for a grant we are working on that would give us more solar power!