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.
Orant's Medical Treatments by the Numbers
2021 was a historic year for Orant Charities. Our clinicians cared for over 70,000 patients, 40% more than any year prior. We continued running two healthcare clinics: the Kasese Healthcare Clinic and the Orant Charities Africa Mobile Outreach Clinic.
Our static clinic is based in Kasese, Dowa. This clinic includes:
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- An Outpatient’s Department
- A 24 Hour Children’s Ward
- A Maternity Ward
The maternity ward safely delivers as many as 30 babies a month and provides prenatal care for as many as 100 mothers at any given time. Since the clinic’s opening, there have been zero cases of maternal mortality. In addition, the clinic offers:
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- weekly cervical cancer screening
- weekly prenatal clinics
- monthly ophthalmology clinics
- routine vaccinations
- malnutrition monitoring and treatment
- HIV/AIDS testing and counseling
Our Mobile Outreach Clinic travels far each day, sometimes over 120km round trip. It visits hard-to-reach rural villages in the Dowa and Kasungu Districts. Thanks to our Outreach Clinics, people receive medical care who would otherwise live too far from services. According to a study we conducted this year, 100% of 1391 surveyed villagers reported they felt more confident in their family’s health because of our Mobile Outreach Clinics.
Our clinics treat many illnesses, but sometimes our patients need more specialized treatments. As needed, our clinicians refer patients to the hospital. Under urgent circumstances, our ambulance transports patients to the hospital. We also pay for treatment if it isn’t free.
The most common illnesses our clinicians see are:
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- Malaria
- Respiratory tract infections (often the common cold)
- Musculoskeletal pains
These illnesses comprise:
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- Over 80% of all cases treated at the Mobile Outreach Clinic in 2021
- Around 75% of all cases treated at Kasese Health Center in 2021
Malaria is notorious in Malawi and throughout Africa. Symptoms include high fever, chills, and extreme fatigue. Anyone can get it. Both malaria and the common cold can be deadly in Malawi, especially for young children who are under-nourished.
Our healthcare staff saves lives in the face of malaria, infections, COVID-19, malnourishment, and more. As we welcome in the new year, we do so with gratitude for our frontline workers. Thank you for all your hard work.
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The Orant Journal
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.
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