Mulago pediatric unit overwhelmed

Dec 01, 2018

Adokorach noted that the critically ill babies are admitted to the pediatric intensive care Unit.

HEALTH

The in charge of the acute pediatric care Unit at Mulago Hospital is concerned about the increasing number of children getting admitted at the children's ward.


Adokorach Margaret, the senior nursing officer, said the current admission rate stands at above 30 children per day, yet most of them are brought while in critical conditions.

Speaking during the children's Christmas party organised by Apar Foundation at the ward on Friday, Adokorach stated that the ward, which admits children from zero day to 18 years including, sickle cell patients, is always overwhelmed with the number of admission.   

"We always serve for 24 hours and provide emergency treatment before we transfer these children to their parental wards like 16, 1C, 11 and Mwana Mugimu for those who are malnourished," she said.

Adokorach noted that the critically ill babies are admitted to the pediatric intensive care Unit.

 atel and officials from the nternational edical oundation pushing trolley carrying some of the items they donated to malnourished children at the wana ugimu  ward Patel and officials from the International Medical Foundation pushing trolley carrying some of the items they donated to malnourished children at the Mwana Mugimu ward

 


Shanta Patel Rabadiya, the co-founder Apar Foundation, an organisation promoting proper nutrition among children, observed the need to promote the feeding of children on proper diet to address the problem of malnutrition.

She said the foundation embarked on a nutrition programme by feeding children in slums on nutritious foods. "We started with 200 children at Acholi quarter in Kinawataka slums in Kampala after a needs assessment, which established that most of the children in the area were malnourished, which called for an annual feeding programme conducted every Sunday," Rabadiya said.

She noted that little things like porridge and bread can make a difference in the lives of children in the slums; to them this is a complete meal because they come from broken families where the mother is working and has seven children to take care of.

"When we give them a cup of porridge and bread, that is satisfying for them, that's why every week the number grows and right now over 450 children have benefited, "Rabadiya said.

She advised the public to invest in the children because they are the leaders of tomorrow.

Rabadiya explained that the foundation started with a medical camp conducted in partnership with the International Medical Foundation and that over 700 people in the villages of Wabigalo, a Kampala surbub were treated.

This was followed by a fun day and Christmas party for the children in the slums of Acholi quarter and Makindye, feeding over 800 children every Sunday throughout the year on top of donating items in Mulago Hospital children's wards.

Shanta Patel Rabadiya, the founder of Apar Foundation giving items to malnourished children at the Mwana Mugimu nutrition ward at  Mulago Hospital. Photos by Agnes Nantambi

Patel and officials from the International Medical Foundation pushing trolley carrying some of the items they donated to malnourished children at the Mwana Mugimu  ward.
 

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