Global Health Educators Newsletter Projects for Trip in October 2015

Magale Medical Health Center - Projects Planned for October 2015

1. Newborn Health Program: Much of the mortality outcomes during first 24 hours after birth are a result of difficulties with resuscitation of the newborns during time of delivery and keeping the infants warm following delivery.  Resuscitation program has helped to improve outcome and the plan is to continue with staff trainings and add a newborn warming program beginning in October 2015.   

A- Infant warming program -  Many newborns, especially premature and low birth weight infants have limited ability to maintain body temperature and many die during the cool nights and limited supervision on the wards when the electricity is turned off.  It is not unusual for a mother to find her newborn deceased the next morning.   Photo - Newborn with handmade hat donated by Mary Firebaugh and blanket donated by Karen Cregger.

Presentation and laminated wall charts presented to nursing staff and placed in the wards for patients, families, and staff to monitor temperatures using "thermospots" that change color based on temperature.  See attachment.  In addition,  “baby sacs” are being taken with reusable heater - hunter’s hand warmers that can be “recharged” with boiling water.  Program will include: documentation of temperatures with the  use of “thermospots” obtained through Maternova.  

B-Newborn resuscitation program  

Continuation of Newborn Resuscitation program for Medical Staff.  Photo - hands on training taught by Susan Hill, CRNA

2. Maternity Ward Training and Evaluation:  

Currently, no vital signs are being taken on the maternity ward. Plan is to introduce needed equipment (blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, and pulse oximeters) and a program to get medical staff to incorporate vital signs for patients in maternity. 

3. Traditional Birth Referral Agent (TBRA) Program:

The traditional birth attendant association has continued to grow, expanding to over 300 women involved in the association.   The  organization has been registered and 13 “Traditional Birth Referral Agent” trainers have been identified.  This trip will include presentation of materials that will be useful for their continued training programs including visual handouts, baby manikins, and supplies to help teach local community TBRAs safe maternity/newborn care.  Plan to visit more distant clinics where the TBRAs are asking for trainings and are too far away to travel by foot.  Photo- TBRA training April 2015

4.  "Antenatal “ clinic: 

Plan with next visit is to better understand what information is conveyed to patients at the prenatal clinic at the health center. 

5. Maternal Emergency Trainings: 

Teaching maternal emergency care including eclampsia, hemorrhage, vital signs using scenario training and mountable wall charts.   

6.  Operating Room and Anesthesia: 

Continued mentoring of medical staff with surgical cases and anesthesia.  

New OR table just delivered, oxygen tanks, and medical supplies to be delivered as well as pharmaceuticals to be obtained in Uganda all done through Maegan and Emma Gahima.

Photo: Dr. Steven Hill with Drs. Masai and Goretti

7.  CPR Training

Continue with trainings with Medical Staff at Magale and Sipi Falls Convent/Medical Clinics

8.  Ultrasound Project

An ultrasound is vital to patient care, especially in maternity with the ability to diagnose
pelvic/abdominal masses, cardiac disease, postpartum hemorrhage, fetal demise or viability, among many others.  Sonosite, an ultrasound company, has approved GHE application for a discounted refurbished, portable U/S machine but the cost will still be $7000 for machine and Probe.  A “GoFundMe” site has been started to raise funds for purchase of a machine.  Please click on the link below and share with contacts and Facebook.  All donations are tax deductible.

http://www.gofundme.com/3f47pupk