Stichting Interplast Holland

24 Achieving lasting success in UgandaAchieving lasting success in UgandaInterplast Holland is involved in two long-term projects inUganda; the UBPSI (Uganda Burns and Plastic SurgeryInstitute) and theBurn Prevention Programme. ReinZeeman reports on the current situation.Work continues at the Burns CentreThe Burns Unit is still functioning well under themanagement of Dr Christine and Dr Morgan (supervised byDr Ssentongo). The new steriliser in the operating theatrefunctions well. A Canadian team has worked at the centre,mainly operating in the burns theatre. There didn’t appearto be that many patients.The big ward rounds still take place, and often the plasticsurgeons are present. Our Nigerian colleagues from Mangu(who are in Uganda to train) joined the team on a temporarybasis, working in the operating theatres and changingdressings. They received additional training from Marjoand myself. In any event they have gained enough practicalexperience. They weren’t very keen on Ugandan foodthough!Changes at the BoardDirk ten Brink is retiring as chairman and will besucceeded by the Hon. Tim Lwanga. Astrid de Rooijwill also be stepping down as treasurer because ofother pressing claims on her time.Top talksWe have been in touch with Health Minister Dr ChristineNdoa, whom we met in 2005 when we inspected the AruaHospital for a team mission. She is currently working withadvisor Ben Khingi, and we were able to consult with himon the Burns Unit which we did in depth. Besides talkingabout the contract, we also provided a résumé ofInterplast’s history in Uganda for the minister.Altogether we provided him with enough information tolobby for the cause of UBPSI with the minister. We’ll justhave to wait and see. In any invent it is clear to everyonethat there will no longer be any question of financialsupport from Interplast Holland. Plans for projects cannevertheless be submitted, and we will try to find donorsfor them.Ward round Burns UnitInterview in slum areaFinancial restraintsBandages and gauze are difficult to come by at the moment.In Holland Ward, parts of the ceiling are collapsing hereand there. Some renovation will be needed next year.During a talk with the new Mulago hospital director aboutUBPSI it emerged that he was not really aware of thefinancial difficulties surrounding the institute. These issueswill have to be resolved through the Mulago budget.He was, however, very interested in the results of the BurnPrevention Programme. Mulago will be embarking onrenovations next year, and these will include the BurnsUnit.Burn Prevention ProjectThe seven Burn Prevention Officers worked hard. In totalaround 1200 information sessions were carried out in theslums around Kampala and in major markets. An audienceof 65,000 was reached. Besides, 53 sessions were alsoorganised at 37 schools.Charles (Community Mobilizer) did a second series ofinter views, to follow up on the baseline interviews thatwere held a year ago. We checked the finances andalso the effects on the ground by interviewing a numberof community leaders (12), and by looking around forourselves in the various districts and asking about thesessions and the possibilities for change.