Although conditions are basic, and the process of juggling limited supplies of medicines is a constant challenge, midwife Grace Aporo knows that she is saving lives.
In charge of the busy maternity unit that was built at Asamuk, Uganda with funding support from Self Help Africa and the Dutch agency KDDP, she says that she delivers over 20 babies, most month.
The medic also provides a vital pre and post natal care service for mothers, and delivers an immunisation programme for young children that are born within her catchment.
'On immunisation day we can have dozens of mothers and newly born babies queueing, to receive innoculation against measles, polio, dyptheria, whooping cough and tetanus'.
Grace Aporo says that alongside the 100 or so mothers and children who visit the Asamuk Maternity Clinic each month, they also support a number of traditional home birth attendants, who were trained at the clinic, and are providing a valuable service out in remote communities in the area..
Grace Aporo has been a nurse and midwife for over 25 years. She says that the service they provide has improved greatly since the unit was built. 'In the past our expecting mothers would be dealt with in the general clinic, alongside everyone else. It is much better now for everyone'. |
Self Help Africa in Uganda |
Self Help Africa began working in Uganda in the late 1990's, initially on a three year pilot project in Asamuk, and latterly with area based projects in Amuria and Kamuli.
A number of new area based projects have been started by the organisation in the country in recent times. |
