Update on Uganda Cancer Center
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Led by York Rotarians and six additional D7780 Clubs, involvement with the Rotary Uganda Cancer Center continues. Last summer, a team of eight medical professionals from this area participated in a Vocational Training Team to provide training for staff at St. Francis Nsambya Hospital in Kampala. Another component of the grant involved shipping two containers of medical equipment to enable the cancer center to open for patients. That equipment (estimated value of nearly $500,000) was secured through Partners for World Health, a Portland agency who collects gently used equipment and new medical supplies for health facilities in developing countries..jpeg)
Though taking much longer than originally anticipated to arrive, the equipment was off-loaded and installed at the cancer center in late-January. The event was quite a celebration, involving hospital staff, Rotarians, the Ministry of Health, and well-covered by Kampala media. Funding for the cancer center’s construction was made possible through the efforts of Ugandan Rotarians. As the 38 bed building neared completion, the need for equipment - beginning with basics such as hospital beds, bed stands, and IV poles - became more critical. Providing that essential equipment and support for the staff in processes and procedures for effective, efficient patient care, hospice options, and family support are the goals of the Rotary Foundation Global Grant awarded to the Rotary Clubs of York and Kampala Ssese Islands.
The final component of the grant will be to receive an inbound Vocational Training Team, anticipated to be in our district in late April. The team of seven will be comprised of oncology nurses and doctors. It will be led by Dr. Julie Mugerwa, a public health MD and member of Kampala Ssese Islands Rotary. The team will be in Maine for three weeks, working with various medical facilities and cancer support organizations in Cumberland and York Counties. Clubs and individual Rotarians have many ways to be involved - as host families, helping with transportation, or arranging social and cultural events. If you are interested in getting inovlved with the inbound team, contact Peggy Belanger MABelanger@smhc.org or Carolyn Johnson cfj2@icloud.com