It's been a while since we last shared an update on our Mobile Outreach clinic, but rest assured that our team has been working tirelessly to deliver healthcare services to hard-to-reach populations. Despite the challenges posed by the rainy season, our clinic remains in full swing, with our team venturing out every day to bring medical care to those who need it most. In today's blog, we highlight the significance of our Mobile Outreach clinic during this rainy season, and its impact on the communities we serve.
Scabies Outbreak in Rural Malawi
On a weekday in the scorching heat of November, small groups of school-going children played outside. Modester Nyirenda, a mother to one of the children, said, “They stopped going to school last week because of a scabies outbreak. Classes are always congested. Students are afraid of contracting scabies from their friends.”
Scabies is one of the most common skin diseases in Malawi’s rural communities. It’s caused by a microscopic mite. The mite burrows into the upper layer of human skin where it lays its eggs. This causes intense itching and a skin rash. While scabies is most common in young children, it can affect adults as well. And it’s highly contagious. If left untreated, scabies can spread to the whole family and even village.
The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly affected Malawi’s financial and education systems. We’re now facing the additional burden of a scabies outbreak. The outbreak has reached both rural and urban areas. Many children have quit school in fear of either being stigmatised or contracting the disease. Luckily, scabies is not as deadly as Covid-19 or malaria. But it is unpleasant.
“I haven’t been able to sleep for two weeks,” said Belita Milanzi from Sopo Village in Kasungu. “I spend the whole night scratching.”
At Orant’s Mobile Outreach Clinic, Belita received treatment. Clinicians prescribed benzyl benzoate ointment with instructions to apply it to the whole body. All Belita’s household members also received treatment, even those who hadn’t shown symptoms yet. To further prevent the spread, clinicians instruct households to wash all cloths and linens with hot water.
“I’m sure I will now finally have a good night’s sleep,” Belita said.
Orant is working tirelessly to prevent the spread. Our Mobile Outreach Clinic gives daily health talks on scabies. We cover what causes it, how it spreads, and how it can be treated.
Learn more about our healthcare programs here.
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The Orant Journal
Cervical cancer remains one of the deadliest diseases in Malawi today, with most cases originating from rural villages. Ignorance and late diagnosis are leading factors contributing to the high mortality rate. However, with adequate knowledge and early detection, cervical cancer can be fought. In today's blog article, we share Margret Chimpanda's inspiring story of victory over cervical cancer. Click the link below to read Margret's story.
At Orant, we recognise and value the critical role nutrition plays in human development and national economic development. We recognise that good nutrition is the backbone of a healthy community and its benefits extend beyond human health. Good nutrition is a contributing factor in reducing maternal and child health challenges, minimizing disease prevalence and promoting economic productivity.
For years, our Healthcare program has been making waves in rural Kasese with our Kasese Health Centre and our two Mobile Outreach Clinics, operating in parts of Dowa and Kasungu districts. But have you ever wondered how our Mobile Clinics operate? In our today's blog article, we are shedding more light on what Mobile Outreach Clinics are and how they operate. Visit the link below to learn more.
Every year, the first week of August is dedicated to World Breastfeeding Week. The goal is to highlight the importance of breastfeeding, to encourage and promote breastfeeding and to improve the health of babies and mothers all around the globe. The theme for 2024 Breastfeeding Week is Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All, which aims at celebrating breastfeeding mothers in all their diversity, throughout their breastfeeding journeys, while showcasing the ways families, societies, communities and health workers can have the back of every breastfeeding mother. In today’s blog, we are sharing Malita Yohane’s breastfeeding journey and how it has been a game changer for her son Benjamin Kambambe who was born prematurely.
Imagine a world where noncommunicable diseases no longer hold people back from living the fullest of their lives. A world where quality healthcare services are accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographical location. This is what our Healthcare program envisions. Read our latest to learn more about noncommunicable diseases and what our healthcare program is doing to free communities around our Kasese catchment area from the grip of such diseases.
Our Healthcare team is dedicated to improving the overall well-being of people. As part of this effort, this week we are conducting a nutritional assessment to all children aged from 6 months to 59 months and pregnant and lactating mothers in our catchment area. In this week’s blog post, we will explore the importance of this initiative and how it will benefit our community.
On May 12, 2024, we celebrated International Nurses Day, a special occasion aimed at celebrating and recognizing this noble profession. During the occasion, we were also thrilled to have been recognized as the Best Nurses in the Central East zone of the National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi (NONM)! Read today’s blog article to learn more about what this means to our team.
Every year on the 25th of April, the whole world commemorates World Malaria Day, which is aimed at highlighting the need for continued effort in malaria control and prevention.
Last week, we were visited by the quality of care assessment team from Dowa District hospital. Read today's blog post to learn about how this exercise is important to us and the community we serve.