The Beginning
The 'Joan Anderson Memorial Dispensary' in Gatenga, Kigali , Rwanda is a public health clinic currently under construction. This is the first project of the Anderson Association and was inspired by the life of Joan Anderson. Joan traveled extensively throughout her life using her skills as a Nurse to assist those in need, especially the first nation's peoples of Canada . She passed away in the year 2000 and the Anderson family initiated the construction in her memory to continue her life's work.
The Anderson Association Mission Statement
The "Anderson Association A.S.B.L." is a non profit NGO (non governmental organization) registered with the government of Rwanda to carry out humanitarian activities in the sectors of health, education and moral leadership development in Rwanda .
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“Le pays des milles collines” or “The land of a thousand hills”, Rwanda is a beautiful, mountainous country in equatorial Africa . It is the most densely populated country in Africa with only 26,338 km 2 of land mass accommodating 8,440,820 people. The United Nations rates Rwanda as one of the 50 poorest countries using the Human Development Index, which takes into account GDP, economic vulnerability, and quality of life to determine a countries wealth. Rwanda 's HDI rating is 159 meaning 60% of its population lives under the poverty line, defined as living on less than $ 1 US per day. Rwanda has become known for using development money effectively, and for its determination to end government corruption. The Rwandese remain an incredibly warm and hospitable people despite the countries devastating history, their ability to overcome adversity providing a beacon of hope for the rest of the world. |
Location of the Dispensary
The Joan Anderson Memorial Dispensary is located on Robero Mountain , about eight kilometres away from the nearest available dispensary. It will be the only clinic easily accessible to local residents who are sorely in need of medical attention and do not have the time or money to travel to far away clinics. Since there are no ambulances, or any other forms of transportation, without our assistance sick or pregnant individuals have to get themselves to the nearest clinic a 2 hour walk down the mountain before catching a public bus to the nearest medical facility.
Health Concerns in Gatenga , Rwanda and Africa
Some of the serious health concerns in the target community are malaria, AIDS, diarrhea, malnutrition, nutritional disorders (such as goiters), parasites, and tuberculosis. Many of the most serious health problems have the potential to be solved by public education and prevention. Small injuries like scrapes and cuts often become serious health risks in unsanitary conditions, especially considering the absence of even rudimentary first aid. Many people give birth at home or do not seek medical help because clinics are often very far away. There is also a shortage of facilities and doctors to assist the population. Currently there are only two physicians per 100,000 people. The infant mortality rate in Rwanda is 101.68 deaths per 1000 live births (2004). This is contributed to by the number of home births that happen without any kind of medical help. In fact only 31% of all births are attended by a skilled health professional.
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The clinic has a main hall, five treatment rooms, and a bathroom all connected by one large corridor. There are also several latrines and a water tank outside which provides running water for the indoor bathroom. The main dispensary building is 12 x 22m, constructed with concrete blocks and a stone foundation. Currently the main hall and two treatment rooms have been completed, with windows, ceilings, doors, furniture, and paint, but there is still much more work to be done!!
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Still Needed
- Installation of plumbing, clinic's water tank is currently being filled by hand with jerry cans.
- Build incinerator for proper disposal of medical waste.
- Equip the building with furniture, medical equipment, and medicines.
- Volunteer healthcare professionals to assist with starting up operations .
- Purchasing of a hard-top, land cruiser to be used as an ambulance.
The Numbers
An estimated population of about 30,000 people of Gatenga and Butamwa would gain access to essential medical services. An estimated 100 persons a day would be served once the facility is fully operational and its reputation has had time to be established with the local population.
Upon completion of the center the clinic will be staffed by a minimum of three Rwandan healthcare professionals the rest will be international volunteers. Of these professionals we require a Nurse/ Midwife, another Nurse/Administrative assistant and a libratory technician.
Future Goals
Once operational an extension service is planned to Rutoma on Lake Muhazi about fifty kilometres from Gatenga. This would be a one day a week service to begin with and may eventually be expanded to a second full time dispensary. Once an ambulance and experienced team are established there is a mobile clinic planned. It would visit villages around the country to provide basic health care to communities that do not have access to a doctor or medical facility. Also basic nutritional and first aid classes are being offered to communities in the area free of charge.
Finances
User fees at the clinic will be the same or less than those charged in Government of Rwanda health facilities, which are generally the lowest available; seeing a nurse will cost about 30 cents. Hopefully these fees will eventually be enough to cover the regular running costs to allow the service to be self sustaining in the long run.
As of October 2007 a total of over $130,000 Cdn has been invested in the dispensary on things such as housing for staff, meeting areas and general preparations for future developments.
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