ANOTHER BUSY WEEK AT ARROW WEB HOSPITAL

Treating an outbreak in a local orphanage

Apart from the usual services we provide, last week was particularly busy as there was an outbreak of diarrhoea at a local orphanage. So it was "all hands on deck" for our doctors and nurses. As treatment for these children is not covered by the funds we receive from the government we have set up a Comprehensive Care Program for them and other poorer children to make sure they can receive the immunisations and drug treatment they need when they need it. Our board has always funded this program, but this year we are applyng for funds to extend it to help more of our most vulnerable children in our community.

Next in line for an injection

And the girls too

Our senior Doctor Ishmael Onyango gives advice to a young girl

Government report

Bram has been busy completing a very lengthy government report. Although we submit information to the District Health Authority every month, for the first time we are now being asked to complete forms about all our activity related to the government's health indicators. We are also being asked to complete detailed plans to show how we are working towards government targets. Fortunately Arrow Kenya board has already drawn up a plan for this year, taking into account these targets.

The government is expecting us to add the protection of children, adolescents and the elderly to our plans so we will be making it a priority this year.

PLANS FOR 2011

Arrow Kenya board plans

In January, Arrow Kenya board finalised the organisation's plan for this year. Our strategy for 2010- 2012 is to improve the quality and scope of our services and to try to reach more communities in our area of Embakasi District.

We are also trying to focus on the Embakasi District Health Authority Annual Operational Plan priorities and targets and achieve a higher level of accreditation from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) by gradually meeting more of their criteria.

See our plan and the Kenyan and Embakasi District Health Authority priorities.

Bram and our senior doctor and board member Dr Onyango discuss the plans

Our board chairman Nicodemus Kipruto approves the plans

Another volunteer from the UK

We are really pleased to let you know that Jacq Goldthorp is coming to work with us in March. She is from Moray in Scotland and is a colleague of Dr Jamie Hogg and Liz Tait who visited us last year. Jacq will be helping us improve our data collection and financial management systems. She will also be helping us review the way we record the activity and achievements of our Community Outreach Team. This work is really important to us as it will help us with funding applications. In the future we hope that we will get paid for the out patient and community services we provide. Currently we only receive payment from the government for the inpatients we treat and the babies we deliver at Arrow Web Hospital.

The board and staff really look forward to meeting Jacq and showing her around Arrow Web Hospital and the local community.

Open Clinic for Baby Immunisations

Every Saturday, mothers whose babies were delivered at Arrow Web Hospital are invited to bring their babies back to see us for their immunisations.

Arrow Web Hospital also provides extra open clinics for women who chose to have their babies at home. Our Community Outreach Team works with local communities to raise awareness about many health issues and they explain the importance of protecting babies against many illnesses which can be disabling or even fatal. In the first year of life we offer immunisation against illnesses such as diptheria, polio, tetanus, measles and tuberculosis. We also give the babies a much needed vitamin boost.

At last week's busy open clinic we immunised 187 babies. All immunisations are carefully recorded and numbers are submitted to the District Health Authority on a monthly basis.

"Next please"

"I've brought my baby's record card along"

" Watching carefully before it's our turn"

"Good, not long to wait now"