Friends of Arrow Web Hospital: November 2010

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Our new website

We are very pleased to let you know that our new website at http://www.arrowkenya.org/ is proving to be very popular. We have had nearly 500 "hits" since it was launched at the end of October.

If you click on the link below you can see where in the world the "hits" come from: http://arrowkenya.org/vmap.php

Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions via the "Contact Us" section on the site menu.

Arrow Kenya is asked to give a presentation at a British Council workshop

Last week we were asked to give a presentation at a British Council workshop in Nairobi. The workshop was to inform health service providers from across Kenya of the UK International Health Links Funding Scheme.

As you know we are currently working with NHS Grampian in the UK, writing an application for funding, which if successful will provide training and development opportunities for our staff and some colleagues from Embakasi next year.

Answering questions about our plans for a link with NHS Grampian

Making sure the equipment works before we start

Saturday, November 27, 2010

WORLD AIDS DAY - DECEMBER 1st 2010

Started on December 1st 1988, World AIDS Day is about raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. The World AIDS Day theme for 2010 is "Universal Access and Human Rights".

World AIDS Day is also an opportunity for us to remember people we have known who have died of AIDS.

According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.3 million people living with HIV including 2.5 million children. During 2009 2.6 million people became infected with the virus and an estimated 1.8 million died of AIDS.

In Kenya 1.5 million people out of a population of over 39 million are living with HIV/AIDS; around 1.2 million children have been orphaned by AIDS; and in 2009 around 80,000 people died of an AIDS related illness.

For more information about HIV/AIDS in Kenya : http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-kenya.htm

Arrow Web Hospital and HIV/AIDS

The staff at Arrow Web Hospital and the Community Outreach Team are making a real contribution to the prevention of the spread of HIV in the Embakasi District of Nairobi.

We offer confidential counselling to people of all ages before and after HIV testing at Arrow Web Hospital. If a patient tests HIV positive we then refer them for Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) from a local NGO.

Our Community Outreach Team raises awareness about HIV transmission and the importance of using condoms, with individuals and groups in the community, encouraging people to go to Arrow Web Hospital for testing if they have been at risk.

Patients who become ill with AIDS related illness are given "first aid" treatment at Arrow Web Hospital and then referred to Kenyatta National Hospital for specialist treatment. We help many patients by providing transport to take them there, as it is 34 kms away.

Our main contribution to the reduction of the spread of HIV is PMTCT or the prevention of mother to child transmission. An HIV infected mother can pass on HIV to her baby during pregnancy, labour and delivery or through breastfeeding. Without treatment up to 30% of babies born to HIV positive mothers will be infected during pregnancy and delivery and up to 20% will become infected through breastfeeding.

The rates of transmision from mother to baby can be greatly reduced if they are given the appropriate ART as soon as possible. It is therefore really important that we encourage pregnant women to find out their HIV status so that we can give them counselling, start their treatment and encourage then to come to Arrow Web Hospital for the delivery. Many women are reluctant to find out their HIV status and very afraid of their husband's reaction when they find out they are HIV positive. So we also offer HIV positive women support after their baby is born.

Last year we provided ante natal care for over 1400 women and over 1300 women came to Arrow Web Hospital to deliver their babies.

For information about how HIV is transmitted:http://www.avert.org/can-you-get-hiv-aids.htm

Here is a link to three posters in different languages: World AIDS Day Posters 2010

Avert World AIDS Day 2010 Video:

OUR CORE VALUES

Transparency and Accountability:

To be open and take responsibility for the affairs of the organization and make it easy for all stakeholders to understand the processes and action.

Honesty and Integrity:

To be principled and fair in service delivery and conduct all activities with unfailing commitment to high professional standards.

Teamwork:

To create a climate of trust and respect that empowers the staff to develop to the fullest by encouraging excellence innovation and shared ideas.

Innovation and Creativity:

Endeavouring to cope with constant change by cultivating a culture of creativity and innovation among staff and the local community and utilizing the most modern technology in the achievement of the organization objectives.

Quality Service Delivery:

To provide high quality and sustainable services which are timely and affordable.

Commitment to Duty:

To display commitment in whatever we do.

Non-discrimination:

To accord equal opportunity to all within and outside the organization.

Diligence:

To display steady effort and show of concern of the community.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITH ARROW WEB HOSPITAL

Volunteer with us Online

We always welcome the help of volunteers both online and at the hospital. Nabuur.com is an online volunteering platform that links Neighbours (online volunteers) with Villages (local communities) in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Connected through Nabuur.com, neighbours and local communities learn about each other, share ideas and find solutions to local issues. Everybody has something to offer, and everything is done online. Do you have a little spare time and the desire to make a difference? You can contribute via http://www.nabuur.com and find Arrow Web Hospital's virtual village here:

http://www.nabuur.com/en/village/kayole-soweto.

Volunteers are also always needed to help with the following;

Community Outreach

Develops methods and opportunities to spread the message of Arrow Web Hospital, educate the community and elicit their active support. Recognizing the need for mobile clinic services and enhancing relationships with the community, Arrow Web staff members and volunteers, will develop and implement strategies to maximize community involvement and formalize partnerships between the community and healthcare workers on the ground both locally and nationally.

Event Planning

Deals specifically with planning and implementing events that will enhance our image, promote our message, and invite participation of others. This group will be responsible for developing an on-going calendar of events and will explore ways to involve the local and national community.

Fundraising

Assists in addressing the financial needs for Arrow Web Hospital through the design and implementation of fundraising activities both in our local communities and nationally. This is a critical undertaking and impacts directly on our ability to build capacity and respond to the needs of the local communities.

Procurement

Focuses on acquiring much of the medical supplies and material needed to support Arrow Web Hospital and respond to requests for assistance. There is an overwhelming need to involve as many as possible in this effort.

Research

Engages in research to help the hospital identify resources and strategic partnerships that support the mission of hospital and ongoing sustainability.

If you would like to inquire about current volunteer opportunities please e-mail info@arrowwebhospital.org with "Volunteer" in the subject heading. Please include your full contact information, professional background and what type of opportunity you are interested in.