Newsletter: September 2003
September 1, 2003 by Vicky
Recent developments have been particularly exciting. During July and August two groups, each of about twelve Medic Malawi supporters, visited the Clinic to see for themselves just what has been achieved. The first group were able to attend the official hand-over of the new units donated by the Department for International Development. This ceremony took place on 10 July, when the British High Commissioner for Malawi, Mr. Norman Ling, handed over the keys to the new buildings. The units have since been modified to provide a superb Maternity Unit incorporating ante-natal care, Health Education, post-natal ward and a magnificent Delivery Room which can cater for up to three deliveries at any one time. This new facility releases space in the original building, so that we now have a laundry/store room equipped with washing machines, and a room specifically for an Ultra-sound scanner donated by the North Devon Hospital Trust. Two days after this ceremony the buildings were consecrated by Rt Rev. Peter Nyanja, Bishop of Lake Malawi.
The bore-hole for the provision of reliable and pure water has been drilled after some problems in locating a suitable site. Eventually permission was obtained from the Senior Chief to drill on land not belonging to the Clinic, and the bore-hole was sunk successfully. By the time this newsletter is published the necessary equipment should be in place, and the water will be supplying all the Clinic’s requirements.
The supply of electricity has always been unreliable, and earlier this year the grid, as well as being frequently intermittent, shut down virtually every evening for several hours. Consequently, and in view of the ever-increasing number of patients being admitted as well as the growing requirements of the Maternity Unit, it was decided to buy and install a diesel generator powerful enough to meet all anticipated demands for electricity for the foreseeable future. The generator will switch on automatically in the event of a power failure.
We have needed an ambulance for some time, not the conventional UK ambulance, but a four-wheel drive vehicle which can negotiate the difficult terrain even during the rainy season. Thanks to the efforts of the Devonport Apollo Choir in Plymouth we now have a suitable 4×4.
New accommodation has been built for the increased number of staff. We are fortunate in having a Peace Corps volunteer who will divide her time between St. Andrew’s and the nearby government clinic, another example of how closely we are able to work with the local health services to enhance the quality of health care in the area. The staffing levels have gone up, and we now have two Clinical Officers and five nurse/midwives as well as ancillary staff and administration.
St. Andrew’s is making an enormous difference to people’s lives; the picture below gives an indication of just how busy the Outpatient Dept. is – and this in the “healthiest” time of the year!
The “100 Club” has still not reached 100 members, but with tax relief the amount contributed by the “100 Club” enables us to pay almost all the balance of salaries remaining after the CHAM (Christian Health Association of Malawi) subsidy.
Finally, our thanks to all who do so much to help this needy area of Africa.
May God bless you all.
Dot and Mac Forsyth