While visiting SW Uganda in 2017 Chris and Jon Foster visited Rutaka health centre, located in a remote mountainous area some 20km from Kisoro. The health centre is staffed by three nurses and a midwife who carry out immunisations, apply sterile dressings and care for the sick as well as delivering an average of 2-3 babies per week. The wards and equipment are very basic, and with the only source of electricity being a few solar panels there was no lighting at night, as well as no running water inside and sometimes none from the outside tap.
HealthTree Uganda is working with the Diocese of Muhabura, who are responsible for the infrastructure at the health centre, to improve facilities there. Our annual quiz night in 2017 raised nearly £900 for Rutaka, and following discussions with the Diocesan Health Officer we provided funding in April 2018 for the health centre to be connected to the grid so that it has electricity, and in addition we paid for two electric refrigerators for the safe storage of medicines and vaccines. Watch this space for updates!