Dignatas & Zomba Regional Hospital
by Joanne Stewart and Diane Allen.
On Tuesday April 14th Diane Allen and I visited the Dignatas Office and HIV clinic, also the Zomba Regional Hospital. Our tour was conducted by Rose who works for Dignatas and is a Registered Nurse. Rose explained the process from the very first visit right thorough to the management of HIV/AIDS. Their system is very thorough and well documented. Their philosophy is to train patients so that they may enter the community and educate the people in their villages. The system works very well for many reasons, particularly because the Government is on board with the cost of the ARV medications. The Zomba Hospital is a Government Hospital and treatment is free to all patients. The Malawi people although very poor are receiving some health care. Of course the problem still exists in the fact that so many people live in rural areas and do not have transportation. The CBO program (community based organization) is providing much needed training to many individuals in the outlaying areas and those people are in turn training others in their villages. HIVAIDS is such a large problem here. The Dignatas Clinic and the Hospital work extremely well together, there is little to no duplication with illness that often accompany HIV/AIDS. Dignastas is such a well run NGO and respected in the Zomba District, it made me proud to a Canadian and to be associated with them. .
The Zomba hospital is in many ways very similar to some of our hospitals. There is over crowding which can fluctuate on a weekly basis, as well as limited resources. But the staff seem very dedicated to their patients and are willing to share their learning opportunities with others. The nursing staff consists of different levels as well as nursing students.
While the Dignitas clinics seemed confusing, at first glance they were well thought out and patients flowed from the HIV/AIDS testing area to staging and to the councilling area. Each patient is followed closely and their records can be obtained quickly so that the clinician is able to have a clear picture of their health status with each visit. The community is very receptive to these clinics and Dignitas is pleased with the response. This was a very informative visit and we were pleased to see how well both facilities were being run.
by Joanne Stewart and Diane Allen.
On Tuesday April 14th Diane Allen and I visited the Dignatas Office and HIV clinic, also the Zomba Regional Hospital. Our tour was conducted by Rose who works for Dignatas and is a Registered Nurse. Rose explained the process from the very first visit right thorough to the management of HIV/AIDS. Their system is very thorough and well documented. Their philosophy is to train patients so that they may enter the community and educate the people in their villages. The system works very well for many reasons, particularly because the Government is on board with the cost of the ARV medications. The Zomba Hospital is a Government Hospital and treatment is free to all patients. The Malawi people although very poor are receiving some health care. Of course the problem still exists in the fact that so many people live in rural areas and do not have transportation. The CBO program (community based organization) is providing much needed training to many individuals in the outlaying areas and those people are in turn training others in their villages. HIVAIDS is such a large problem here. The Dignatas Clinic and the Hospital work extremely well together, there is little to no duplication with illness that often accompany HIV/AIDS. Dignastas is such a well run NGO and respected in the Zomba District, it made me proud to a Canadian and to be associated with them. .
The Zomba hospital is in many ways very similar to some of our hospitals. There is over crowding which can fluctuate on a weekly basis, as well as limited resources. But the staff seem very dedicated to their patients and are willing to share their learning opportunities with others. The nursing staff consists of different levels as well as nursing students.
While the Dignitas clinics seemed confusing, at first glance they were well thought out and patients flowed from the HIV/AIDS testing area to staging and to the councilling area. Each patient is followed closely and their records can be obtained quickly so that the clinician is able to have a clear picture of their health status with each visit. The community is very receptive to these clinics and Dignitas is pleased with the response. This was a very informative visit and we were pleased to see how well both facilities were being run.
2 comments:
Keep up the great work!
- Scott Hughes, Vancouver, BC
It is very moving to watch the dedication of all of you, it is inspiring to travel with your blog thankyou for the opportunity to do so
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