Archive Reports

Methodist Hospital, Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State

Biennial visit 2010

We were saddened to find the hospital in a less good state during the 2010 visit. There was no functioning management committee and we sensed there had been a loss of vision and purpose. We were encouraged to hear that there is a new bishop in the diocese who has committed himself to re-establishing a management team for the hospital. It was good to see Esther again, who is now walking well on her prosthesis.

Biennial visit, January 2008

First impressions were very good. Dr Edwards had left but his successor Dr Ikenna Ozioko, from Enugu, was in post. This hospital is recognized by the State Government as the best in the area and is referring patients, having X-ray facilities, a pharmacy, laboratory and microbiology. Since our last visit the laboratory technician, Seamus Innih, had added to his qualifications and due to his and the hospitals excellent reputation he has two students under his supervision. As with many other places a recurring problem is the loss of well qualified staff because of low pay.

Esther, the amputee seen in 2006, was present with her daughter and looked extremely well. A collection was made to provide her with prosthesis. Subsequent to the visit we learnt that Dr Denloye had told her story to the congregation at his own church in Lagos and one of those present had agreed to pay all costs at a specialist unit to provide the prosthesis and train her in using it. The cost of drugs to the patients was highlighted and the hospital has reduced these to a minimum

Biennial visit February 2006

It was a refreshing change to arrive at a clinic that was buzzing with activity, to be met by eager village dignitaries, church representatives and patients, all anticipating our visit and concerned that we had not arrived the previous day as planned. Sincere appreciation was expressed in the welcome addresses for all the help given to this hospital.

Activity – Record books revealed that a total of 1,199 patients were seen in 2005. There had been 42 deliveries of which two produced stillborn babies.

61 people had been operated on for a variety of conditions e.g. Exploratory abdominal surgery, ectopic gestation, ovarian cystectomy, caesarian sections, hernias, lumpectomies, orchidectomy, amputation, appendectomy, traumatic injuries.

Deaths totalled five of which two were children who had been presented in a moribund state. Other causes of death were chemical ingestion, respiratory failure, congestive heart failure and liver failure.

A dentist visits weekly, but has no chair to enable ‘comfortable’ dentistry.

Preventative Medicine and Health Education – Regular ante-natal clinics are held with talks on general child care and feeding. Immunisation is intermittently done with government staff as part of the national programme. It is hoped to reinstate this activity in the clinic on a twice-weekly basis in the current year.

Outreach activity – Using a TV screen and DVD, health education programmes are shown at the Oba’s Palace and the secondary school. Emphasis is placed on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases in the latter.

Dr Edward has made contact with a charitable agency interested in women and children for health and home development. He has plans to pursue this line and hopes for a grant to enable more health education in the community.

Achievements 2004/2005

• Appointment of a doctor
• Appointment of a laboratory technician creating an active lab – blood test results available in 30 minutes.
• Radiologist and x-ray examinations.
• Acquisition of oxygen equipment.
• Increase in number of trolleys, examination couches, cooling fans.
• Creation of private rooms for those wishing privacy and willing to pay more for this.

Non-achievements 2004/2005

Unable to pursue market day outreach in the absence of a vehicle.

Equipment required:

• Baby weighing sales and centile charts. (now purchased)
• Operating table
• Dentist chair
• Refrigerator
• Suction pump
• Microscope lenses
• Colorimeter for blood chemistry
• Ambulance
• Mortuary – although we query the power to run
• Floor coverings in private rooms – advise linoleum preferable to carpeting for antibacterial benefits and cleaning advantages.

Observation by Team – We agree with Chief D O Awolumate that this hospital is making stead progress. Dr. Edward is seen to have good relationships with his medical committee, staff and patients alike. He resides in the compound quarters but is unable to get his wife and family to leave Kaduna to live with him, and this he finds difficult. We liked Dr. Edward’s notices pinned around the clinic in both English and Yoruba, spelling out the aim of the clinic and what is expected of the patients. There were also a variety of picture health education posters displayed about the place.

It is fair to say this was a most encouraging visit.

Bethesda Hospital, Ikachi, Otukpo, Benue State
(See also Bethesda Orphanage)

Biennial visit 2010

Staff morale has improved and the salary arrears have been reduced. The hospital was looking much smarter  in 2010 than on our previous visit but is still under-used. The hospital has a Youth Corps doctor but would benefit greatly from a senior Nigerian doctor to provide longer term medical staffing. Other priorities are a permanent and reliable water supply, a refurbished operating theatre and an ultrasound machine.

At a follow-up visit in January 2011, David Cundall was delighted to see great improvements in the water supply for the hospital and an air-conditioning unit in the operating theatre. An ultrasound machine has been installed, using funds raised by Beeston Methodist Church, Nottingham.

Biennial visit January 2008

Four years ago there were serious concerns about the administration of this large and much needed hospital. Following our visit in 2004 the then Prelate, His Eminence, Sunday Mbang, ordered a full audit to be carried out by a Lagos firm of accountants. They produced an excellent report which not only highlighted the problems, but they offered to take steps to resolve them and also offered pay the salary of an administrator for two years in order that he might set the hospital on a sound financial basis and train other local personnel in these tasks.

For some reason unknown to us this offer was not acted upon. On our visit in 2006 the situation had deteriorated further and staff had been on strike the week before our visit to protest about the situation and the failure to pay salaries. As a result of this and the hospital's inability to produce an Annual Report, we suspended grants until the situation improved.

We received no further information about the hospital until early 2007 when a report was received from Mrs E. Comfort, the Matron, who had taken on the responsibility of Administrator.  Although this report was inadequate it showed a determined attempt to improve the situation for the benefit of both patients and staff. Advice was given to Mrs Comfort about her report and further improvements have been made. Although the latest report is not comprehensive or capable of being audited, it does give snapshots of the work of the different departments of the hospital, for short periods of the year, and gives useful insights. Grants have now been restored but the administration is still far from satisfactory and the issue needs to be properly addressed by the Management Committee.

During our inspection of the premises we saw a number of patients on wards although being a Saturday the out-patients departments were shut. This is where a large number of patients are seen and statistics indicate the importance of this aspect of the work here. Sadly there is only one full time doctor now and he is a National Youth Corps doctor (who is in his first year after training), so he has responsibility well beyond his experience. I asked him how he coped with this and he said he referred to books and had to discuss difficult cases with other doctors who work in the area, who fortunately are sympathetic to his situation. There is another more experienced doctor who works part-time in the hospital but as the young doctor said he has to be on duty 24/7 so has no social life or escape from his work.

The premises are looking rather neglected and need cleaning and repainting. Over the years we have been visiting here the staff has reduced from around 150 to about 70 largely due to failure to pay salaries. Nevertheless the staff remaining have a real commitment to the place and the hospital is much loved and needed by both staff and patients
Following our visit the whole visiting team met with the Prelate, His Eminence, Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde, his predecessor, His Eminence Sunday Mbang, the Secretary of Conference, Bishop C.R.Opoko and relevant Archbishops.

The concerns about Bethesda Hospital were discussed in this forum and there was agreement that the Prelate should visit the Diocese and seek to resolve the matter, which was thought to have political overtones.

17 July 2008 An email sent by Mrs Comfort indicated that all staff had been paid for the last three months and the Director of Elim, Sunday Adima, had taken on the role of  Supervising Administrator. Patient numbers had also improved and these changes had boosted the moral of staff.

Staff morale has improved and the salary arrears have been reduced. The hospital was looking much smarter  in 2010 than on our previous visit but is still under-used. The hospital has a Youth Corps doctor but would benefit greatly from a senior Nigerian doctor to provide longer term medical staffing. Other priorities are a permanent and reliable water supply, a refurbished operating theatre and an ultrasound machine.

Biennial visit January 2006

Once again the visiting team were very disappointed with the management and administration of the hospital. The main issue is a breakdown of communication between the different areas of the hospital. This has led to mistrust between the administration and the other departments within the hospital. The administrator is not very experienced and has not worked in an operation of this size before. He has not prioritised the requirements of the hospital, therefore allowing personalities to lead his decisions. The accountant has not followed procedures and therefore cash has been passing in and out before being properly recorded, although no impropriety was apparent. However, we felt assured that money sent from Project funds had been spent according to our instructions, i.e. the doctor’s salary and that of two senior nurses. (PS. We have learnt that the administrator died of a longstanding illness shortly after our visit).

The external condition of the hospital seemed in good repair and was clean. A generator has been purchased to assist with providing electricity to key areas of the hospital. Other areas of expenditure include essential repairs to the Toyota Hillux to enable outreach work at the various clinics and the purchasing of drugs for the hospital.

The hospital has a team of residential doctor and three Corper Doctors (who have just completed their training), who carry out the work at both the hospital and outlying clinics. The nursing staff and auxiliary staff are all fully committed to the hospital and this can be seen by the fact that the staff have continued to work at the hospital whilst receiving little or no pay during the past 19 months.

It was stressed that all salaries must be paid as a priority to ensure the continual service of the staff and help repair the hospital’s image in the immediate community. The total monthly staff salary bill is £2,600.

Areas visited within the hospital included the X-ray department which has two machines, one operational and one not, and the pharmacy which seemed to be well used. We also visited a couple of wards including the maternity ward, where we were introduced to a set of new born twins along with their mother, and the children’s ward.

Although members of the team left Bethesda Hospital with a feeling of disappointment, as it had not reached its full potential since the last visit two years ago, everybody felt that there is a lot of good work being carried out there, much of which has been overshadowed by the current operational issues. An informal meeting during the evening with the Resident Doctor, the Matron Comfort and the Maternity Sister Amida, provided further insight into the operational problems of the hospital. This helped the team with their subsequent discussions with Bishop Rt. Revd. Kehinde M Stephen, Secretary of Conference, regarding the construction and implementation of an action plan to enable the hospital to get back on track and provide additional managerial support.

Wesley Guild Hospital, Ado-Odo, Lagos State

Biennial visit, 2010

During the 2010 visit we were encouraged to find that a borehole had been completed so the hospital has a reliable water supply. Some steps have been taken to work more closely with the government health services who are keen to link the work of the hospital with primary health care in the area. There are still major concerns about the staffing of the hospital, a visiting consultant travels 100 kilometres and the new staff on site were untrained. The ultrasound machine had been mended after having been out of action for five months.

Ado-Odo is a relatively short distance from Lagos and we were very pleased to hear that the Lagos Wesley Guilds are prepared to offer time and resources to enable the hospital to fulfil its potential. We were encouraged to find a renewed commitment from the management committee. Local people have not yet experienced much benefit from health care provided at Ado-Odo but we hope to see big changes soon.

Since our visit a comprehensive plan has been made by the management team and some funds have been raised by the Lagos Wesley Guilds so we look forward to further progress.

Biennial visit, January 2008

We have had concerns about the management of this hospital over the past two years, however on arrival it was clear there was a considerable improvement due to the interest and skills of the new Lay President, who is an architect and a hospital development consultant who has his own private hospital. As a result of their efforts it has received Ogun State registration as a hospital and this guarantees a National Youth Corps doctor, that’s a state paid junior doctor, each year. The nurses have also been re-trained and supervised by a visiting matron who is an experienced nurse/midwife.

Earlier difficulties about access to the hospital grounds have been for judication and the hospital have unrestricted right of way onto the main road. Staff quarters were almost completed; this is to be for a doctor and the three nurses. It was suggested by the ‘medics’ on the visiting team that if possible separate accommodation for the doctor would be preferable The hospital is now able to include ultrasound scan services and the Bishop stated optimistically that they would totally self-supporting in 6 years time!
A very detailed report on hospital personnel and members of the Medical Board was presented along with their mission statement, aims and objectives and proposals on how to achieve these. The next step is to put these ideals into practice!

Since the team visited in January 2008 Dr Yomi Sobo has twice visited family in Lagos and made contact with the Bishop of Badagry and members of the management committee. Dr Sobo also feels that there is a significant improvement in the situation at Ado-Odo. He has also been able to forge a link between the management group and the Guild at Yaba in Lagos. Consequently Guild members will serve on the management group and it is hoped this will lead to financial support from Lagos.

Biennial visit January 2006

During the period of our biennial visit 2006, two members of that Church, Alison Fordham, a general nurse and Helen Dowsell, a paediatric consultant, worked at the hospital.

The following is their report:

The clinic at Ado-Odo is set in a rural area in the Diocese of Badagry, serving a community of peasant farmers.

Staff:

The clinic is staffed by a part-time doctor, Dr. Okupe, who is also employed by the French Village in Badagry. He attends Ado-Odo on Wednesday and Friday evenings, and all day on Saturday. Three trained nurses are employed (plus one on maternity leave), and between them staff the clinic 24 hours a day, although it is unclear to what standard they are trained. There are also three trainee nurses, whose training will only take place at Ado Odo, and will therefore be very limited. Other employees include a cleaner, a night guard and a gardener.

Achievements to date:

Construction of a bore hole which provides water to the hospital and also the local community, and also a raised water tank.
Connection to NEPA for the provision of electricity, although the power appears to be unpredictable and intermittent.
Application of mosquito netting and burglar proof bars to all external doors and windows.
Partitioning of reception area to provide a cash desk and reception desk.
Shelving and lockable drug store.
An injection room.
Preparation for a pharmacy.

Activities:

The hospital seems to function like a drop-in doctors surgery, although patronage is low. During 2005 attendance varied from 12 to 21 patients a month, visiting with a range of problems, but most commonly malaria, typhoid, respiratory infections, and advanced sexually transmitted diseases. There was also evidence of a high incidence of eye problems requiring the attention of an ophthalmologist.

Maternity

There is a provision of an ante-natal clinic each Saturday. Last year 29 women registered to attend, and 12 of them successfully delivered their babies in the clinic, and all are doing well. A delivery room is provided. However, there was not evidence of post natal services, or a ‘Well Baby Clinic’.

Surgery

No surgical procedures take place at the clinic.

In-patient facilities

There are 3 adult beds available and 10 children’s beds have been donated by The Young Men’s Progress League of Ereko Methodist Church in Lagos. However, these do not yet have mattresses. Patients are very rarely admitted to the hospital.

Diagnostic laboratory

As there are no laboratory facilities at Ado-Odo, patients who require diagnostic tests are referred on to the nearest hospital.

Pharmacy

The clinic holds a small stock of limited medications, including anti-malarials, antibiotics and vitamin and iron injections. A drug fridge is available, but is currently empty, and will only be of any benefit when the electrical power is on.

A small room has been decorated, and fitted with shelving in order to open a well-stocked pharmacy to supply medications not only to patients attending the clinic, but also to people from outside requiring to buy drugs. The plan is that when the next grant has been received, this pharmacy will be stocked and opened, and it is hoped that it will provide a valuable source of income.

Immunisations

The clinic has in the past run a government immunisation clinic, but not for the last 8-10 months.

Health Education

The previous doctor ran a talk at the clinic on Hypertension, prior to leaving last September. The local community was invited to attend free of charge, and the event was very well attended. More talks of this nature would be beneficial, now that the new doctor is in post. Nothing is planned at the current time, but the suggestion was made that this should be considered.

Equipment:

Sphygnomanometer
Thermometer
Newborn baby scales (weighing up to 5kg only)
Bathroom scales
Needles
Syringes
Giving sets and butterflies for administration of intravenous fluids.
Examination couch
Television for patient’s waiting area.
Furnishings for doctor’s office including television, DVD player, CD player, filing cabinet, table and chairs, rug, air conditioning unit (not yet fitted).

It is a cause for concern that so much money has been spent on ensuring that the doctor’s office is comfortable, when the clinic is in desperate need of basic equipment to ensure adequate provision of patient care.

Doctor's Accommodation

The building of a 4 bedroomed house for a resident doctor has commenced, and is in early stages. Completion of this building and furnishing it will use up a large portion of the grant. It is planned that when complete, the house will enable the clinic to apply for a doctor from the National Youth Service Corp. If this application is successful, the clinic would be best served by ensuring that they always have an overlap period when the doctors change over, to ensure continuity.

Problems with attendance

Attendance at the clinic is disappointingly low. It seems that there are various reasons for this. Firstly, as the local population is mostly peasant farmers, their income does not stretch to the fees charged by the clinic. Average income is in the region of N4000p.a. Attendance at the clinic cost from N400 for malaria treatment, to N4000 for childbirth. Secondly, many of the population tend to have more faith in using local herbal remedies. Thirdly, during the 3-4 month period when there was not doctor, the patients who would have attended the clinic were forced to go elsewhere for treatment.

Finally, any patient requiring any laboratory investigations or x-rays are referred on to other hospitals, and then they tend to stay at that hospital for treatment.

Budget

A statement of accounts is provided in the Bishop’s report. Basically, the outgoings on salary alone each month is N38000, (N20,000 for the doctor, and N18000 for the rest of the staff), and average clinic income is in the region of N4000 per month.

Recommendations for further development

The priority for the Ado Odo clinic at this stage has to be developing strategies to increase the number of patients coming through the door. It is only in this way that monthly income will increase over time. The following suggestions may help to achieve this goal, by encouraging the local people in to the clinic and providing them with the opportunity to gain confidence and trust.

Establishment of a ‘Well Baby Clinic’

This should be provided free of charge on a weekly basis, for baby weighing, development checks, and advice on weaning and maintaining adequate hygiene. Growth charts should be obtained and available for all those attending. More people will be encouraged to come if it is free, and allow mothers and babies to benefit from health education and promotion. A supply of abidec baby vitamins should be available, for which a small charge could be made if necessary.

Register with local government as immunisation clinic

Immunisations can be obtained free from local government, and this should be offered regularly at Ado Odo, probably alongside the baby clinic.

Family Planning Clinic

Health Education Talks

As the September talk on Hypertension was so well attended, more of these should be offered. There are many suitable topics which would benefit community health e.g. diabetes, sexual health, family planning.

Establishment of laboratory facilities

When money becomes available, setting up a laboratory with facilities for the doctor to undertake test on urine, stool and simple blood tests e.g. Malaria parasites, will prevent some of the loss of patients to other hospitals.

Ophthalmology clinic

As eye problems appear to be so prevalent, an eye clinic would be a beneficial addition to Ado Odo. If it were possible to invite an Ophthalmologist to visit the clinic once a month it would prevent so many patients being referred elsewhere. Dr Yomi is looking into this possibility.

Nurse Training

In order to equip the nurses with the necessary skills to manage the above proposals effectively, they would need additional training. Dr. Denloye of St. Luke’s Hospital in Lagos has a colleague who is willing to help with this, and he has kindly agreed to make the necessary arrangements.

Equipment urgently required

Soap
Towels
Sharps bins for the safe storage and disposal of used needles and injection vials.
Baby weighing scales
Height measure
Gloves
Ophthalmoscope
Auroscope
Paediatric blood pressure cuff
Sterilising equipment e.g. Kerosene stove and pressure cooker.
Suction machine
More sinks especially in doctor’s office and drug preparation areas
Dressings
? Generator, if not now, for consideration in the future.

Summary

Much has been achieved in Ado Odo during the last year, in terms of alteration or addition to the building and the environment. How the focus must shift to ensuring that the proper medical equipment is provided, and that pro-active policies are in place to encourage the patients through the door. It has been agreed that no more grants will be sent until one of the Wesley Guild Doctors in Nigeria has advised on what are the priorities.

Royal Cross Hospital, Ugwueke, Abia State

Biennial visit January 2008

The work here is advancing so quickly it is difficult to keep up with all the changes and improvements.

Bishop Chris Ede, so instrumental in the work here, has moved to be Bishop of Aba and his successor, Bishop Foster O. Ekeleme, an Igbo and native of this area, is also enthusiastic about the medical and welfare work in the Diocese. Dr Hans Corput is still the Superintendent doctor for the hospital, but now has two excellent Nigerian doctor colleagues who have lifted some of the workload from him. In addition one must mention Chief Paul Okorie, the administrator, who brings all his professional skills as a businessman, to the service of the hospital and the Church.

The growth of the premises continues and the children’s ward, women’s and men’s medical wards were not only open but full at the time of our visit. In addition, two further accommodation blocks for staff were nearing completion.

Throughout the time the hospital has been on this site, access to good water has been a major problem. On our last visit water had to be trucked in on a weekly basis which was a major expenditure. It was therefore a great joy to see a new water processing plant in full flow. Water is pumped up from the river into a large tank. This is then put through a filtering process, treated, and pumped up into a large storage tank supported on stilts to obtain water pressure. Any part of the hospital can now receive running water through a tap!

Another major step is the acquisition of a large generator sufficient to power the whole hospital and more! This was a piece of equipment in a building belonging to the British High Commission which had become redundant. The only charge made for this was transport costs. While money here is still needed for further improvement and development, not least a perimeter fence, most is generated from the activities of the hospital. However linked to Royal Cross is another hospital some 25 miles or so away, which was recently built with European Union funds for the Ozuitem Community, situated in the suburbs of Uzuakoli and called the Beautiful Gate Methodist Hospital, Ozuitem, Uzuakoli, Abia State

Beautiful Gate Methodist Hospital, Ozuitem, Uzuakoli, Abia State

Biennial visit January 2008

This new hospital was dedicated on the 1 November 2007. The premises are very well built but the facilities are inadequate and the Royal Cross staff, doctors and nurses, are providing the medical expertise. For the purposes of funding this development is treated as part of Royal Cross for the time being. There is a strip of land 10 miles long attached to it, so the hope of building a male/female medical ward in the next year at a cost of N5.5 million will not be held back for lack of land!

Paula Dawson, one of our new trustees, is a lecturer at Nottingham University in Child Health. She has a vision to develop a School of Nursing at Royal Cross Hospital in conjunction with her University, which would be beneficial to both. Please read her paper entitled ‘Proposal for the development of a School of Nursing at the Royal Cross Hospital, Ugwueke’.

Biennial visit January 2006

Unfortunately, because of three earlier visits this day, we arrived at the hospital several hours late, but that had not deterred the huge welcoming crowd from waiting for us. This was a very uplifting visit because of what has been achieved in such a short time, less than four years since the official opening. There is no doubt this is due to an extraordinary Bishop, Chris Ede, whose foresight, commitment and drive has pushed the development on, ably supported by a strong governing board.

However, its success is no less due to another very exceptional man, Dr. Hans van den Corput, whose commitment and medical expertise have given the hospital a reputation which has drawn people from many of the states of S.E. Nigeria to seek medical attention. The premises are rapidly expanding through grants, not only from the NHCP, but also by considerable grants from the British High Commission, the World Church office and recently the Irish and Australian Embassies in Nigeria. As a result the vision given to us originally ‘of converting the shell of a circuit church in to a hospital’, has become a vibrant complex none of us could ever have dreamed about.

Surrounding the original building there is now a doctor’s house, 2 staff quarters, a children’s ward, a ward for infectious diseases, a mortuary, a new theatre block, a water purifying unit and a provision store.

There is still a great need for hospital equipment for the laboratory and wards, varying from baby weighing scales to big steam sterilizers. An average 100 patients are seen every day and in 2005, 613 surgical operations were carried out, (the largest category being 272 unilateral hernia).

The weakness of the hospital is that so much rests on the shoulders of Dr. Corput, the only doctor, who often works from sunrise to midnight. Attempts to obtain the services of a Nigerian doctor have not been successful, mainly due to the remote part of the country in which it is situated.

Dr Corput is supported by his wife Marie, a Nigerian, who, apart from caring for their two sons, acts as his P.A. and deals with local politicians and with staff maters. The next two years will be a defining period for the future of this hospital, so please pray for those who will make decisions, the Bishop and Management Board of the hospital, the World Church Office who employ Dr. Corput and his wife, and the NHCP Trustees.

News received 6 June 2006 from Chief Paul Okorie

Second staff quarters under construction during our visit have now been completed and presently provide accommodation for 10 nurses.

The children’s ward and isolation ward projects are nearing completion and will be put to use by the middle of July.

In May the Department for Internal Development donated a 60KVA Perkins generator which will go a long way to resolving the power problems.

The Australian Embassy recently approved N400,000 for the building of an incinerator.

Chijoke Osogho Memorial Hospital, Item, Item Diocese, Abia State

Biennial visit, January 2008

This hospital was built, equipped and donated to Methodist Church Nigeria, by Sir (Chief) Ndukwe Osogho Ajala a native of Item, in memory of his sister, who died from Sickle Cell Anaemia. It was officially opened by the Prelate Sunday Mbang, in November 2003. It is an 18 bedded hospital with a modern surgical theatre, labour room, pharmacy, medical laboratory, scanning and ECG machines and generator. This is the only hospital which serves the nine villages of Item

Sadly this hospital is underused even though it has a doctor and nursing staff. This has always been something of a mystery to the visiting team but we now understand that is  due to a misunderstanding by the public, that as the hospital was given to MCN, therefore everything provided should be free and there is a feeling that patients are not getting a fair deal.

This is an excellent hospital and discussion with the Bishop and medical committee (who feel that the appointment of a white doctor would resolve the matter), was around the subject of distributing information about the circumstances of the gift and that staff, medical equipment supplies need to be paid for. Such is the feeling here that people needing medical care are travelling long distances to other hospital, i.e., Royal Cross Hospital and a Government Hospital where they also have to pay for their treatment!

Nevertheless there was a definite improvement on our last visit and it is hoped that positive information to the community will resolve the situation.

Methodist Hospital Ogoli Ugboju, Otukpo, Benue State

Biennial visit, January 2008

We always have a very special welcome at this centre with a cross section of local church life singing and dancing, in traditional costume and style, and this year was no different. While there are many improvements at Ogoli there is a great need to have a regular doctor. Currently they are dependent on a doctor who was brought up in Ogoli and who has his own hospital in Abuja, returning to the village quarterly. He carries out surgery and sees many patients, sometimes up to 200 a day. Such was the situation at the time of our visit and the whole hospital was bursting at the seams. However at other times the matron, the only qualified member of staff, does her best to carry on with the services of the hospital, mainly for women in pregnancy and children.

A new 20 bedded ward is under construction, but like many other places they have suffered through lack of finance because of the difficulties in the administration changes, but this situation should be eased shortly as the backlog of grants is distributed. Hopefully, the ward can then be completed and at least provide adequate beds for the surgeon on his quarterly visits, as sometimes patients have to take their own! BUT the need to appoint a regular doctor must be given priority by the medical committee.

Biennial visit 2006

On arrival we were pleased to see that recent work had made the premises spotlessly clean and painted throughout. A great deal has been achieved since funding began. Over the past two years a resident Corper doctor has been employed and made a big impact on the number of patients treated. Sadly, these doctors leave after the time of their compulsory tenure (1 year), and it would seem likely that this is due to the low pay they receive. The current doctor, due to leave the day after our visit, said his monthly salary of £160 was less than he was receiving in his final year of training when working as a registrar!

Staff morale was also low, as they had not been paid for two months. This was due to withholding our grant because of a failure to produce an annual report. However, we carried with us the last two grants, which would put the hospital on a sound financial basis for a while and staff were highly delighted.

It would seem that some simple measures could place this hospital in a sound position. Patients have numbered between 130-200 per month and babies delivered between 10-20 per month. There is also a lot of support from the local community as we saw at our reception. We also realised the potential number of users of the hospital when we were entertained by children from both the Methodist Primary and Secondary Schools.

Suggestions for the future:-

• Revise level of staff salaries, especially the doctors. These rural locations are always unpopular with qualified medical staff because of the very primitive lifestyle in which they and their families must live.
• Have a more active and open health committee so that staff are aware of what the management committee are planning and doing.
• Look to find more funding from government and local authority agencies.

Damishi, Kamuru and Galadima, Kaduna State

Biennial visit, January 2008

Sadly on arrival we were informed that the clinics at Damishi and Kamuru had closed, hopefully only temporily. The clinic at Galadima , where there is a vision of hospital status, had benefited from a new metalled road which ran nearby and made travel from the many rural communities in the area much improved. The clinic is simple but adequate for the work being done at present.. It is hoped that outreach work will be done in the neighbouring villages with health education and a well child programme for which a motor-cycle would be beneficial.

Dorcus Stephen, the senior nurse is again underpaid for her qualifications and this needs to be addressed. Archbishop Job is very enthusiastic about this work and is encouraging local people to carry out voluntary work on maintenance of the premises and surrounding grounds.

The development here has been held back by the banking problems at Methodist HQ, however these problems have been overcome and the agreed priorities are a motor-cycle, equipment and furnishings, adjustment to the senior nurses pay and voluntary action to rebuild the latrines and build an access road from the new state metalled road.

One member of the visiting team noted the high incidence of eye related problems and felt that the services of a visiting ophthalmic optician would be beneficial.

Since the visit we have been informed that the clinics at Damishi and Kumuru have re-opened.

Biennial report January 2006

No 1. Galadima

Following on the visit of Revd Okon Ekerendu in December 2005, a new notice board had been painted and erected and the local community had improved the access and cleared the bush.

Staffing: 1 Community Health Nurse Salary N6000p.a.

1 Deaconess

1 Nurse (absent, being trained)

Activity: In January 2006 32 adults and 17 children had been treated and

13 antenatal patients seen but none delivered

at the clinic.

Consumables – There was little evidence of this; the clinic had very minimal and basic drugs available. These are brought to the clinic by the Deaconess.

Non Consumables – Basic furniture in reasonable condition in delivery room, maternity ward and doctor’s consulting room. There are no chairs. Baby weighing scales and centile charts required.

Buildings: Dr Denloye spent time to discuss and advise the works manager of the medical committee on structural needs, in particular the control of termite activity. Temporary latrines were in evidence, walls but no roof, beside a pit already dug for a permanent bathroom and latrines. A laboratory had been built by the local community, but lacking a technician, this was not utilised. There is a need to connect up to electrical power supplies.

Staff Needs: Laboratory technician and pharmacist.

Observation by Team: Dorcas, daughter of the Provost of School of Technology Kagoro, is a highly trained, very bright community nurse with both calling and commitment to this clinic. She lives locally with family and is encouraged by her father in the work she is doing. She is trained in giving health education and teaching HIV/AIDS awareness. She is encouraged to get out into the homes with this activity.

The team felt an air of apathy here, with a desire to work and extend the clinic not fully convincing. Bishop Job challenged the gathered people and received the affirmative response from Women’s Fellowship, Men’s Group and ‘the Community’, that they work towards raising funds for this clinic, reaching out to their extended families in far off places.

No 2. Kamuru

The clinic, just re-opened after closure, was lacking in supplies and publicity. The surrounding area had been cleaned up after warning given by Revd Okon Ekerendu in December 2005.

Staffing: 1 Senior Community Nurse Salary N6000p.a.

1 Junior Community Health Nurse Salary N5000p.a.

Both seconded from other clinics in an attempt to resurrect this abandoned clinic.

Observation by Team: A depressing situation. The people say they want a clinic, but there is evidence of a strong desire that ‘everything should be served upon a plate’.

In his address, His Royal Highness Agwom Akuju 1, requested firstly that the work might be extended to incorporate an eye clinic, since there were a lot of eye troubles in this place, and secondly, that NHCP seeks to establish another clinic e.g. at Ung Makam, far away from medical facilities, where people experience untimely death.

No 3. Damishi

Historically there had been low patronage of clinic services since the former health worker left Methodist employ after establishing credibility to set up his own business in the area, promptly followed by the Methodist Traditional Ruler.

Staffing: 2 Junior Community Health Nurses Salary N5000p.a.

1 Senior Community Health Nurse (away at Kagoro in training).

The staff quarters have collapsed due to poor workmanship – present staff are living nearby.

Activity – Clinic suspended September 2005 after thieves stripped the clinic of roof and contents. This was subsequently repaired and paid for by the community, thought to feel guilty when news reached the Bishop. Roof timbers have been collected and secured, some of which can be recycled.

Monthly attendance – An average of four – reasons, age and sex not defined. However, in May there was a total attendance of 18, thought to be the result of rainy season. January 2006 – so far total of four attending. Here again, record keeping is sparse, staff advised on the need to keep records as NHCP expects. Drugs are available.

Observation by Team: There is certainly a great need in this place, where there did appear to be a little more enthusiasm and hope, but generally our visit came as an end to a disappointing day.

Dr Andrew Pearson Memorial Medical Centre,
Iberekoda, Igbo-Ora, Oyo State

Biennial visit, January 2008

These new premises were seen as pristine, well built, but poorly equipped. There is running water through a roof collection and storage system, which supplements the well.

Dr Yombo Awojobi, now a consultant but a former student of Dr Pearson, has given considerable advice and loaned money to get this clinic up and running. Unfortunately to date not all the money has been repaid and this has caused tensions on both sides.

Hopefully this problem will be overcome soon and then all the efforts can be concentrated in completing the equipment, furniture and other essential items such as a generator. The provision of this new clinic is supported totally and the Management Committee who were keen to build bridges between the project, the Church and Dr Awojobi.

When all this has been achieved the clinic can begin to move forward and fulfil the role for which it was created.

Biennial visit 2006

This centre opened towards the end of the Pearsons’ time in Nigeria but their work has never been forgotten there. The original building deteriorated into a very poor state, and it was decided to build a new centre. Most of the money to date has come from a private source, but administered through the Project. The new premises are now up to roof height and are very impressive.

Dr Awojobi has worked with the local diocesan medical advisor to design and oversee the building of the centre. Hopefully, this partnership will continue to see the work developed and sustained.

It was a delight to arrive at this place where a great welcome awaited us, evidenced by the amount of preparation made prior to our arrival. At present, clinic activity takes place in temporary accommodation provided by the church, giving outpatient and maternity care. There is a government hospital in Igbo-Ora but this is ill equipped, poorly staffed and too small for the populace of the area.

Staffing:
1 Community Health Worker
2 Auxiliary Nurses

Activity:
Total No. Outpatients 19
Adults 16
Children 9
Maternity 6 Deliveries

Non Consumables:
2 Maternity beds,
2 Couches,
1 Amble Bag,
1 Weighing machine.

The previous day there had been a delivery and the staff were proud to show off the baby still on admission with the mother.

Budget details: A total of £1409.94 has been raised locally through the Igbo-Ora circuit, Iberekodo Council and private individuals. The Igbo-Ora circuit has also pledged to raise £720.00 during 2006, a very large amount for a Nigerian circuit. In addition many local people have given ‘bricks’.

We were shown around the building site, which was clean and tidy. Each room had been labelled to indicate its future purpose. Great effort is being made to move to roofing the building by April 2006. Progress had been inhibited by lack of funding. Dr. Awojobi is proving a great support to the work here in an advisory capacity, (interest in the project and making personal financial contributions). Dr O A Oke, Diocesan Medical Advisor, records the appreciation of Dr. Awojobi and NHCP, pleading for continued support. Observations by Team:Clearly this project is being approached in a consistent business-like manner and worthy of our support. Doctors Oke and Awojobi appear to have good personal and professional working relationships, and a high regard for the foundations in primary health care laid by Dr. Andrew Pearson, surely an asset to this project. The visit of Mrs Jean Pearson and her son is anticipated with much excitement, as is the completion of the project later this year.

Methodist Eye Clinic Ituk Mbang, Akwa Ibem State

Biennial visit 2006

In 1987 the government took it over and it has had a mixed history since then, always being under-funded. In May 2005 the hospital was returned to Methodist Church Nigeria, and to assist the handover, the government will pay staff salaries until May 2006 when MCN will be fully responsible for all staff, equipment and premises.

For some reason the Eye Clinic was retained by the Methodist Church and we have funded it for about 6 years. However, it became apparent on our arrival at the Diocesan Headquarters in Uyo that we would be put under pressure to support the work of the main hospital.

On visiting the Eye Clinic we were pleased to find the premises well maintained, an optometrist had been appointed who was obviously very committed to her work. Sadly equipment was sparse and some re-equipping needs to be done.

Dr. Sobo writes : We had a gruelling six hour journey on that day from Otukpo due to the bad road surface in parts and the distance entailed. We arrived at the Bishop’s office 2 hours late but the Diocesan Officers, hospital management board and staff had waited patiently, knowing that we were on our way. The Bishop of Uyo, the Rt. Revd Udoglia welcomed us warmly and told us that the parcel from Lagos had arrived safely. We then had refreshments and a welcome address by the Bishop, following an introduction of the hosts. In the address he told us of the fight they had had, not only with the government official, but also the local people for the return of the hospital to its former owners in a good working state. This impasse has now been successfully concluded and there will be funding from the government for the next year by which time it is hoped that the hospital will be self-supporting.

A tour of the hospital was undertaken ending up at the eye department where a discussion with the optometrist led to words of encouragement and how she could seek help locally through Lion and Rotary Clubs in the area and the non-government organisations (NGOs).

The climax of the meeting was the presentation of eye equipment, which was a gift for Methodist Church Nigeria to use at the Ituk Mbang Hospital. This had been taken to Lagos by a member of the Group and transported to Uyo by the Lagos office. The unveiling and presentation brought many cheers from the hospital staff and a great smile from the optometrist, who was most grateful for the gift. She felt she would be able to use this for the benefit of the patients.

The following morning John Mann and Peter Grubb were roused from their beds at 5.30a.m. in preparation to take part in a live television programme called ‘A to Z, breakfast Television’. We were asked to explain our visit to the area and were put under pressure to agree to fund the hospital at Ituk Mbang “in front of all the viewers”. We were only able to say we would do the best we could, taking in to account all the other commitments we had around the country, and appealed for local support.

Following this we were taken for a reception with the State Deputy Governor, who was also a Methodist.

School of Health Technology, Ebenta, Igede Diocese, Benue State

Biennial visit, January 2008 

The Principal of this School, Albert Ikande Onda who we first met in 2006, shortly after his appointment, has not had an easy time since his appointment. The school must obtain government accreditation in the next two years if it is to continue. On our last visit the school had been moved to Ebenta-Uwokwu as land had been offered by the local people and it was felt that this would be the best place to launch their bid for accreditation. However now the Principal has had time to become familiar with all the issues he feels that the original site at Obobu is far more favourable to the requirements for accreditation. This again is a political issue in this Diocese which needs to be tackled by the Prelate when he visits to look at matters surrounding the under-performance at Bethesda Hospital. Fortunately little of our money has gone into this project and one solution may be that the site at Ebenta is used for some other project of the Methodist Church, which would also be acceptable to the chief and elders of that village.
We had opportunity to meet students in the college, although it was dark by the time of our arrival, and later, we saw some on placements in the nearby projects when we visited, Edawu and Agboke. We were impressed by their enthusiasm for this important work, where they were able to do much in support of people greatly disadvantaged by mental illness

Biennial visit January 2006

We visited the place where the new site is being developed and were pleased to see that our money had provided for the building of two classrooms. It is hoped that this new college will be open later this year and receive government accreditation.

Amaudo, Itumbauzo, Abia State

Biennial Visit January 2008

The worst part of going to visit Amaudo is the road from Umuahia to get there. If it was in good condition it would take no longer that 20 minutes but this year it was terrible and it took us almost two hours before we arrived. That on top of nine hours we had already spent on the road travelling from Otukpo. However, as always it was good to be there.

The Welfare Officer is now the Very Rev Timothy Ogbonnaya, the first Nigerian in this position since Amaudo opened in 1990. He has been involved with the work here for many years and from all accounts doing an excellent job. During the past year, 21 residents were picked up off the streets of Abia State, although there were not as many residents as usual, three discharge services had been held in the past year and reduced the numbers. Of the last five to be discharged two had been given experience as shopkeepers, one in hairdressing and two others in farming, so in addition to the on-going support they will receive as out-patients they also have skills to earn a living.

The Community Psychiatric Programme is going from strength to strength and three new clinics have been opened. Two other states are now in discussion with Amaudo with a view of starting up a scheme for the mentally ill too.

Project Comfort, which supports families with children who have disabilities, now has 115 children on their books. Their four workers visit each family every fortnight to offer support advice and encouragement.
One of the big concerns at the moment is the need to commence a maintenance programme on all the buildings, which, after almost twenty years are showing signs of deterioration mainly due to the extremes of weather. Cecil Johnston, Deputy Welfare Officer, has drawn up plans to deal with this. Each of the 15 houses need approximately £350 each to repair, the catering and admin premises each need £750, while other smaller units, less, making a grand total of £7700. To encourage people to support this programme, any person, Guild or Church providing money for one of these units will have their name mounted on the appropriate building.

Please contact the Coordinator for further information about this.
So there are many plans for improvement and extension of the work which is a sign of a healthy establishment.

Biennial visit February 2006

Our visit and overnight stay at Amaudo was disrupted by an unseasonable torrential downpour, which abruptly terminated our tour of Amaudo 1 and made a visit to Amaudo 2, some three miles away, impossible because of dangerous roads.

However, it was good to see and talk to members of staff who have served there for many years, some former residents. The work of Amaudo continues well and is serving the needs of many mentally ill people in this part of Nigeria. The rehabilitation workshop is thriving, with hairdressing and beadwork, which helps with dexterity and co-ordination, shoe making and a carpentry workshop. Residents also learn work skills such as shop keeping and budgeting so that they can make an income when they leave. Their farm is also developing and producing fresh food for the consumption of residents and staff.

The work with the community programme continues to make progress and over 2000 people are being treated and supported as outpatients, funded mainly by the three surrounding state authorities. It was good to see this project, supported by NHCP since 1995, doing so well despite many recent changes.

Update Report and Pictures December 2008

Edawu Community Health Care Centre, Ainu, Benue State

Biennial visit, January 2008

The guest house at Edawu was our home for two nights while we visited other projects in this diocese. A great joy it was too. It gave the opportunity to observe the work of the project under normal operating conditions and although we did have an official tour it was not really necessary. We stayed here over a Sunday with opportunity to worship in the church where six years earlier we had laid the foundation stone. The church was full because some of the people from the village of Ainu had transferred their membership here, now a circuit church, as they enjoyed the peace and tranquility of place, (in a project for mentally ill people!). This is not only good for the villagers but it also reinforces acceptance for the residents and of course is a practical support with gifts of food at harvest time.

It was also good to see how staff members, who in the early days had their own problems, have grown and developed too. There were 14 residents at the time of our visit, although 10 had been discharged home over the past two years. One a girl of 18, who had not been able to complete her secondary education because of mental illness had returned to school and completed it with the support of the Centre.

The commitment of  Job Archi, Edawu’s psychiatric nurse, has now been recognized by Oju local government and his salary is to be paid by that authority. He has also become a Church Steward. Another former patient has been taken on as a member of staff, and. Grace, a member of the staff from the outset, is very much a pillar of the both the Church and Edawu.

The Community Psychiatric Programme continues to expand and there are five clinics which since 2006 have registered 103 cases of epilepsy and 334 cases of psychosis bringing the total to 437 patients.

Much of this success is due to the firm foundation put in place by David Furnival and Aidan and Frankie Lucas, but the contribution made by the Rev John Angwa, and his standing in the community, continues to grow day by day as he leads the project forward towards self sufficiency.
A five year blue print has been produced and costed for the development of Edawu. If you or your Church would like to support this work, see if anything fits your pocket!

Bi-annual visit 2006

This Project is mainly funded by Project grants but also receives support from ‘Access UK’, Mental Health Trust, in terms of practical support and training. There are now nine members of staff and all are paid up to date. Of the 13 residents, eight are male and five female; six residents were discharged in 2005 and four more since our visit. These people will receive monthly visits by Centre staff to give injections, support and advice.

The Community Psychiatric Programme continues to grow steadily and another clinic was opened last year, making six in all in the surrounding communities. During the past tow years 767 new patients have been registered making a total of 1548 in total. This is putting pressure on staff, and more need to be appointed. The Community Psychiatric Education Programme is also very active and gives lectures in churches, schools and at open meetings, which have reduced the stigma attached to mental illness, and cultural beliefs have been changed.

The chapel funded by the World Church Office was dedicated on the 26 th June 2005 and is a circuit church, which includes residents as well as local people in its membership. Solar power, purchased with Project funds in 2004, is providing power to the centre and to people in nearby communities.

Farming is an important activity and the produce reduces the food bill as ell as providing training for residents. There is a good and strong relationship with local communities and local government. The Local Authority is continuing to pay a monthly grant as well as the salary of one of the psychiatric nurses.

There is now an urgent need for a four-wheel vehicle and two additional staff, a pastor and a resettlement officer.

Click here for the Edawu Five-Year Development Plan (2008)

Health and Restoration Centre for Psychiatric Illness,
Agboke-Oglewu, Otukpo Diocese, Benue State

Biennial visit, January 2008

This Centre is still less than three years old but has treated 25 residents and 2183 out-patients. Since our last visit one of the additional activities has been the opening of the Occupational Therapy Workshop. This is not fully operational yet but was created with money sent out by Mr & Mrs Williams of Nantwich, near Crewe, in memory of their daughter, Pauline Storey, who was an Occupational Therapist. This has introduced residents and out-patients to activities such as tailoring, knitting, needle work, typewriting, shoemaking etc, which is not only therapeutic but provides them with skills to earn a living when they are well enough to return to work.

The needs of the centre are a truck, £7200, a transformer which will enable the centre to be linked up with the electric supply which recently was installed on the road nearby, £12000, a bore-hole to provide water, work on this has already started and much of the money for this has already been found, and a cassava processing mill £1400.

Local churches make a significant contribution in terms of food, clothing etc, as well as the sum of N350.000 in the past year. Unfortunately financial matters have not been helped by the delay in our funds being distributed, due to the changes in HQ admin at Lagos.

Bi-annual visit 2006

Sunday Idoko is a gifted administrator with vision and he has involved many local dignitaries and welfare organisations in the management committee. At our official reception many of these people were present including a representative from the Mayor of Otukpo and the first lady of Benue State.

The Centre has also received support and training from Amaudo and Edawu Centres for the mentally ill, and much of its work is based on the ethos of these centres. Since May 2004, 13 people who were seriously ill have been treated as residents. Three have already been discharged and two more will be shortly. 832 people have been treated as outpatients and most have recovered sufficiently to be able to resume a normal pattern of life.

Two blocks of the old premises have now been restored providing accommodation for residents and staff, a chapel, offices and workshops. A great deal of effort has been put into the considerable area of land surrounding the Centre and as a result 68 yams, 180 banana/plantain trees, 6 orange trees and 1200 palm oil trees etc., have been planted. These will eventually contribute substantially to the food supply and to the finances of the Centre as well as providing work and development of skills for residents.

As a result of the Bishop’s gift of a goat to the Centre for a celebration meal, goat rearing had commenced on a commercial basis, for the ‘gift’ was found to be pregnant and they are now rearing four kids! From their own efforts, and from gifts from local individuals and Churches, the Centre received almost £500 last year – a lot of money in Nigeria. While much is still to be achieved here, a remarkable start has been made which deserves our ongoing support.

Bukuru Clinic

Biennial visit, January 2008

Since the last visit in 2006 the top floor of the premises accommodating the nursery school has been renovated and improved to allow the clinic to be established there. It has little in the way of furniture or equipment, but the clinic is run by a bright and enthusiastic fully trained nurse/midwife called Funmi Samuel, who was keeping excellent individual records.

She and the management group were advised about the expected procedures of a maternity and child health clinic, the usefulness of centile charts, etc, and the urgent need to purchase basic but essential items of equipment, i.e., a basket for weighing babies, height measurement mat, ambu mucus extractors.
The visiting team also expressed concern to the managers about the low pay of a well qualified and committed nurse, which barely paid for her travelling expenses.

Since the visit we have been informed that the clinic has been moved to more suitable premises nearby and we have sent additional funding to support this work.

Motherless Babies Home, Uzuakoli , Abia State

Biennial visit January 2008

This home is situated in the extensive grounds of the Leprosy Centre, and at the time of our last visit the home was recovering from a loss of confidence by the local community. Things had not gone well there for some time. To some extent this was due to the lack of finances to pay salaries, low staff numbers and morale, and a neglected building. However much has changed. Along with the Uzuakoli Support Group we were able to provide money to repair the building. Mary Corput, wife of Dr Hans Corput, and a native of the Cameroon, Nigeria’s next door neighbour, was appointed as officer in charge. There are now 19 babies in the home and they were obviously well cared for. Some are thought to be HIV positive but they will not tested until older.  Money is still short and there are a number of needs to be met but there is a tremendous improvement on two years ago. To improve the situation for the Corputs, the World Church Office has made a grant to improve the house in the grounds here, so that the Corputs and their two sons have a home which they can share together at least at the weekends. Mary of course lives on the job all the time but has a workable situation. We were able to share a meal here in the peace and tranquility of this home. Before we left we were able to tell them that a further £2000 would be sent to them in the next two weeks, as this money was already in Lagos, waiting for bank clearance.

Click here for Annual Report 2007

Bethesda Orphanage, Ikachi, Benue State

Biennial visit January 2008

The plans of 2006 had been put in place and children returned to their extended family whereever possible. This meant that instead of the 42 babies to be seen on our last visit there were only 17. The changeover had gone smoothly and the new arrangements were working well, with babies having powdered milk, clean water and sterilization equipment delivered to their homes, where necessary. Babies are now only kept in the orphanage for about six weeks where a sister, niece or granny is given advice about the care of the child. Education classes were still being held in respect of child care for any one to attend. This area is probably the worst in Nigeria for the incidence of HIV Aids and some of the babies are likely to be positive but tests are only done in the early stages of their lives, if they are ill. Congratulations to this Orphanage for being open to new and better ways of rearing motherless babies.

Leprosy Centre, Uzuakoli, Abia State

Biennial visit January 2008

This centre was 75 years old in 2007 and at its peak accommodated around 5000 leprosy patients. This year there were just 15 former patients and their families waiting to be rehabilitated, and 9 elderly people, whose needs are such that they will require care for the remainder of their lives.

We met the group waiting for a rehabilitation programme, and of the fifteen families, five will be leaving during 2008, three from funds provided by the Nigeria Health Care Project. The remainder wanted us to know how desperate they were to move as soon as possible and it was difficult not to be moved by their plight. The cost for each family is £2700 and this provides the training and tools to find employment and a small two roomed house in the village or community from which they came.

We then moved on to visit the people in the ‘Weak House’ which can best be related to our residential care. In 2006 there were 15, but two years on that number has shrunk to just 9. One, in her 90’s, and blind, has lived there for the whole of her adult life! All regularly require medical attention and the services of a carer, in addition to food and other necessities of life. There are no state benefits available for them and the cost of their care is around £550.00 per person, each year, or £5000.00 in total.

It is difficult for us to understand why people who have suffered from leprosy many years ago are still living in the centre. Part of the reason is that it is important, for support, etc, that they return to their home village where members of the extended family still live. If people are not seriously handicapped as a result of their leprosy, then rehabilitation is usually easy, but if they are seriously handicapped or they have ulcers people feel they are still infected and the old fears resurface, leading to rejection. A lot of work goes on in advance, to convince the village chief and other influential people that it is safe for them to return, but this has not been possible for these nine people who must remain in the ‘Weak House’.

Biennial visit 2006

During a brief visit we met some families, and were pleased to be informed that four of them were to be discharged the following Sunday, with all set in place for them to be able to resume a normal life in the community from which they had originally come, and with the skills with which to make a living. There was a real sense of excitement and expectation.

However, it was sad to see the large number of people who required walking aids to get about due to the damage to lower limbs caused by the leprosy.

Hopefully it will not be too long before the Leprosy Centre will be free to be used for other purposes.

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