Medical Clinics

Dr. Dietrich is an orthopedic surgeon however the medical clinics that we do in Uganda are general medicine.  The most frequently seen conditions are malaria, intestinal worms, fungal infections, and upper respiratory infections.  We purchase medications and vitamins from a medical supply company in Uganda.  This company supplies a lot of the hospitals and medical clinics in Uganda so we feel confident their products are good quality.

Malaria is caused by a person getting bitten by a mosquito infected with a malaria parasite.  In the early stages, malaria symptoms are sometimes similar to those of many other infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.  Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, sweats, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.  Malaria can be prevented by the use of a mosquito net covering the family while they sleep.  During our trips we have been able to distribute 400 nets.

Pastor Hayes, Dr. Dietrich, Brandy and Becky handing out mosquito

nets to a long line of happy people on our first trip January 2010.

Intestinal worms are caused by ingesting dirty and contaminated water and food that are infected with parasites.  The villages in Karamoja had no access to clean water prior to the installation of wells by Mercy Uganda in 2011.  Water is vital to the improvement of overall physical health.  Not only do they have clean water to drink and cook with, they also have water to grow fruit and vegetables in the garden and water to give their animals.

This poor little guy was VERY sick.  His belly is

distended because he had a belly full of worms.

When we go into the villages for medical clinics it is sometimes difficult to not get overwhelmed.  Not just because of the extreme poverty and the health issues but because EVERYONE in the area shows up wanting to see the doctors.  On our first trip we went into a village and when we arrived were told that over 300 people were there to be seen.  With only 2 people able to treat the patients we knew it wouldn't be possible.  When we got to the end of the day, the people waiting are so desperate that they are pulling on your arms and pleading in a language you don't understand it's hard not to feel like we failed.  We want to help everyone and make them better but the reality is that we saw over 150 and we did make a difference in their lives and were an answered prayer.  It was a learning experience for us.  We needed a bigger team and some patient prioritization in order to make the biggest impact.

During the trip in September 2011 we were able to work with a local physician from the Catholic Hospital in Matany, Karamoja.  Dr. Timothy is a 4^th year medical student and we were very impressed with his knowledge and was helpful in our clinics with understanding what the patients were having issues with.  We also toured the hospital and met with the Medical Director.  The hospital has physicians and surgeons from Europe that visit on their vacations.  Visiting physicians are extremely helpful to the hospital as they are able to train the Ugandan physicians more modern ways of treating patients.

In future trips we hope to continue to grow the relationship with the hospital in Matany.  They are making strides to help the people of Karamoja.  Witch doctors are still in these areas of Uganda.  We pray that we can continue to earn the trust of Ugandans so if they have a medical problem they will seek medical help at the hospital and not at witch doctors.

Our prayer is that medical professionals will discern whether the Lord is calling them to join us on future trips.

~Becky