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.
Alick Zimba’s Life-Saving Diagnosis
In the heat of a September morning, two men carry a man on a bicycle to Orant’s Mobile Outreach Clinic. The man’s name is Alick Zimba. Alick trusts Orant’s Mobile Clinic. “This is not the first time Orant has rescued my life,” he says.
Not long ago, Alick developed a blister on his foot. It kept growing. The nearest hospital was about 12 kilometers away. Alick’s household couldn’t afford money for transportation. “I never knew it would have a serious complication,” he says. But the blister grew into a large, festering wound. In attempts to soothe the pain, Alick applied traditional herbs. These only worsened the wound’s condition.
On July 12, Alick caught word that Orant’s Mobile Outreach Clinic would visit his community. He decided to see a doctor. That day, he learned his blister was a sign of something larger. He was diagnosed with diabetes.
“I don’t know what could have become of me if not for Orant,” Alick says. With a proper diagnosis, trained medical staff, and stocked pharmacy, Alick got the help he needed.
George Matandeu, Orant’s Mobile Outreach Clinician, explains, “The greatest challenge in rural locations like this is poverty. Many cannot afford even a minimal amount of 200 kwachas,” 25 cents in USD, “for health services. Not only that, many people die in silence due to health ignorance.”
This is why Orant provides preventative care as well. Our staff gives health talks to rural communities. We cover immunizations, COVID-19, HIV/ AIDS, and more. Our health talks expand community knowledge about common illnesses. “People are so receptive,” says George.
Orant aims to create knowledgeable, empowered communities that can take charge of their health. We want people like Alick to visit the doctor at the first sign of something unusual. And we want all our patients, like Alick, to trust us with their care.
The Orant Journal
Improving Healthcare Services through Quality of Care Assessment
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.
New Wheels from Orant’s Healthcare Program
We are always happy when our support brings a smile on peoples faces and changes their lives. In this week’s blog article, we are talking to Andrea Mwale, a 41 year old man from Chapuwala village in Kasese. Andrea shares his gratitude towards the support that our Healthcare program has recently provided to him.
School Surveys Lead to Better Learning Outcomes
Data is one of the most important tools in all our programs as it helps us measure whether our programs are making an impact or when it’s time for change. For the past three weeks, our Education program has been surveying schools in our catchment area. Check out today’s blog to learn more about how this survey is going to contribute to our Education program.
Improving Healthcare Access in Rural Malawi
We are thrilled to announce the opening of our new Mobile Outreach Clinic this week, which is a great stride that our Healthcare program has achieved! We have started our operations with treating Chatalala Community in Kasungu district, Traditional Authority Njombwa. Read our blog post to learn more about how the new mobile outreach clinic will serve communities better.
Malaria Season in Malawi
Summer in the Southern Hemisphere brings malaria season in Malawi, a dangerous disease that can kill those who do not receive treatment in time. Orant works to ensure that those afflicted with the disease receive the proper treatment and recover.
The Challenge of Noncommunicable Diseases in Rural Malawi
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) remain a huge burden to the healthcare sector in Malawi. Read our blog post to learn more about NCDs.
Conducting Mobile Outreach Clinics in Malawi
Your donations have purchased a new trailer for our Mobile Outreach Clinic! Read our latest blog as our Mobile Outreach Clinic (MOC) team shares how the new trailer will be of great help to the team’s daily operations.
A New Hope for Mothers in Malawi
In rural Malawi, pregnant women face many challenges including lack of access to prenatal care, poor nutrition, and lack of safe spaces to deliver their babies. Orant is working to change that with the renovation of our maternity ward. Read about it in this week’s blog.
Orant Improves Eye Health in Rural Malawi
On the last Wednesday of every month, our Kasese Health Centre conducts eye clinics for local residents in need of treatment. Read our latest blog to learn more about our eye clinics and how they help people in rural Malawi.