Healthcare Program 2022
The Patmos Cottage School Healthcare program for 2022 saw Dr Daniel Busela and his nurse carrying out the first of the bi-annual health checks on all 210 pupils at the school on the 7th and 8th June, 2022.
The medical examinations revealed that whilst the majority of the children were in good health there were 30 children who were suffering from fungal infections and they were provided with the necessary treatments. Dr. Dan will continue to monitor these children and will report back to the school in a month’s time.
On the 8th June the doctor assisted by his nurse, administered deworming preparations to the children.
November 2022:
On Thursday 17th and Friday 18th November, 2022 Doctor Daniel Okal Busela , together with his nurse, carried out health checks on the children at Patmos Cottage School as well as administering deworming preparations at his clinic on the respective dates. School social workers and class teachers assisted the doctor and his nurse to ensure the smooth running of this two day healthcare event. A total of 206 children underwent the health check-up and received deworming treatments.
On day one Dr. Daniel concentrated on carrying out the health-checks and whilst the majority of the children were found to be in good health, 29 children were found to be suffering from fungal infections. He advised that these children receive treatment in the form of tablets and cream to treat this condition and to prevent the spread of it to other children. Dr. Daniel also noted that several children were suffering with intestinal worm infections including hookworm, roundworm and whipworm.
Under the Patmos Cottage School Healthcare Program, the children will receive their next health checks and deworming preparations in April 2023.
Dr. Dan has been supporting the school for the past eight years and under the School Health Program (SHP) he has provided the children with half yearly health checks, de-worming treatments and oral vitamin supplements.
His small medical clinic has been serving the people of Mathare for over 20 years and he is a well- respected member of the community. Most clinics in Mathare are only open for limited periods each day and are closed at the weekend. Dr. Dan’s clinic is open for long periods each day and remains open at the weekends providing a good service for the children and local people. The clinic is located in the Mathare 4B District and he operates the clinic from a small rented house which has only very basic equipment and a limited supply of drugs. Because of the lack of medical facilities he is only able to treat minor illnesses and offer an outpatients service for his patients.
Intestinal worm infections including hookworm, whipworm, roundworm and schistosomiasis are among the world’s most widespread diseases, with roughly one in four people infected. School age children have the highest infection prevalence of any group. Although light worm infections are often asymptomatic, more intense infections can lead to lethargy, anemia, malnutrition and growth stunting. Treating worm infections also appears to strengthen children’s immunological response to other infections, potentially producing broader health benefits in regions with high tropical disease burdens.
Evidence has shown that treating children for worms - which affect an estimated 600 million school-aged children worldwide - improves school attendance, health, and long-term productivity. Oral deworming drugs are extremely effective at killing most varieties of worms with a single does, at a cost of a few pence. Rapid infection means that the drugs must be taken every 6 - 12 months to keep worm infections at bay.
Deworming treatment is not only highly effective and inexpensive, it is easy to administer through schools and can bring benefit to children years after treatment.
Among interventions that have been rigorously tested by randomised evaluations, school-based deworming is one of the most cost-effective means of increasing school attendance and improving health in areas where intestinal worms are endemic. It can also result in large gains in earnings and living standards years after children receive treatment.
To read about the healthcare program which was run in 2021, 2020 and 2019 please click below:
The funds for this Healthcare Program are donated by two UK supporters.
Dr. Dan and his nurse examining the children at Patmos Cottage School. June 2022
Dr. Dan and his nurse carrying out health-checks at Patmos Cottage School. November 2022
