2009 IN A NUTSHELL
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It has been an extremely eventful year for Neri Clinics,
peaking on March 24th last when the 1st patient was registered in the clinic
in Linda Township, Lusaka. This was preceded by an official Zambian Launch of
Neri Clinics at the site of the clinic itself on March 17th which was attended
by the 1st president of Zambia, Dr Kenneth Kaunda (AKA the Grandfather of Zambia).
The event received attention in the national newspapers and was a resounding
success in stimulating interest in health issues in the township.
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Since then the demand for the service has surpassed expectations and
currently there are in excess of 4,000 patients registered, putting our doctor and nurse
under enormous strain. Such a demand for the service has made the level of need in Linda
Township even clearer to us. In response to the increased demand more services have been added.
Community Physiotherapy is in full swing and our native Zambian physio is working closely with
volunteer physios to tend to some of the most severe disabilities possible to imagine.
This has been assisted with donations of equipment from Portiuncula Hospital Ballinsaloe/Franciscan
Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood.
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It was brought to our attention when we were first asked to assist in Linda Township,
that the level of patients defaulting from Anti-HIV medications was extremely high in
Linda Township. With this in mind Neri Clinics made it an early primary goal to
establish easy access to Anti-retroviral medication for the population of Linda
Township. We are happy to say that in the last few months we have ironed out a
Memorandum of Understanding with the churches Health Association of Zambia to
act as a satellite station for dispensing of Anti-retroviral and adherence
counselling
of patients. This is an extremely important step in the health of the overall population of Linda Township.
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A social worker has been employed and is currently working
towards health promotion in the community as well as figuring as a key
worker in the newly established ARV/AIDS clinic. In a township of 40,000
people, where poverty is rife and where people are at their most vulnerable,
the role of the social worker is proving to be a challenging one. With an
eye to the future, recruiting of volunteer community workers from the township
itself has begun. It is an initiative of the community itself that a team of
volunteers be recruited for this purpose.
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One of the most significant proceedings of the year for us
was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Zambian Ministry
of Health. This paves the way for the development of a Public Private Partnership
between the two organizations and in the short term secures access for the population
of Linda to Anti-Retroviral medication, Anti-Tuberculous and Anti-Malarial Medication,
as well as Vaccinations, from the clinic in Linda. It is key to our ethos that we act
as a vector of the Zambian Governments own Primary Care initiatives.
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Back at home it has been equally as busy. Fundraising events
have gone on in earnest and so far, with your help, we have been able to make
ends meet. Our presence on the internet has made it easy for people to find
out more about us and our projects. As a result of this we have received a
number of contacts from people willing to volunteer and several people have
spent a number of weeks working in Linda Township. We are honoured to be able
to boast patrons such as Irish rugby legend
Dr Jack Kyle, who worked for most
of his life as a doctor in Zambia, as well as Irish-Zambian pop star
Samantha Mumba. An Irish launch is aimed to take place in the early part of 2010. Again
thank you kindly for your support throughout the year. We would hope that in
these harsh economic times, should your means allow that you may find the generosity
to again support our cause.
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