Action Plan for the redevelopment of Atutur Hospital,  Kumi,  Uganda

This action plan is based on the assessment of priority needs identified in the report of a visit to the hospital by  Richard Priestley and Hannah Ryan in July 2006 and  a proposal by Newtraid to provide volunteers to support the redevelopment of the facilities at the hospital. 

The key non-Statutory  participants in this plan are  Pearl of Africa Foundation, Newtraid.org and RHC Health Consulting Ltd

1. Introduction

This series of proposals which forms an action plan for 2007 is focussed on support from NGOs  ( Non Governmental Organisations) based in the UK and Uganda to help in the redevelopment of Atutur Hospital in Kumi which is part of the Government Health services in Eastern Uganda. It is largely derived from the outcome of detailed discussions between the authors as a result of consideration of two detailed papers which are attached:

- Firstly Paper A on the priority needs for the redevelopment of Atutur Hospital by Richard Priestley dated October 2006

- Secondly Paper B of Newtraid.org to provide support for one of the priority needs i.e. Infrastructure development of the Hospital by Norman Martin dated December 2006.

The above papers report on the issues concerned in depth and identifies priorities for action. In turn based on these ideas this paper seeks to consolidate the points made and provide a practical series of proposals for a way forward in 2007 which might assist and support Government Health policy and strategy in Uganda which has the overall responsibility for this issue.

It confirms the action which organisations and individuals would undertake to achieve the desired outcomes for 2007 which are inherent in this project and provides an organisational framework to translate these objectives in to action.

2. Organisational framework

The key organisations all of which are in the non statutory sector are:

1. Pearl of Africa Foundation ( PAF) which is a humanitarian and community based development organisation working with African communities in the UK and Africa particularly Uganda -  read more about PAF here or go to   ww.pearlofafricafoundation.org .

Jim Opolot of PAF will act as an “umbrella organisation “ for charity purposes, and provide the main focus for coordination between the UK and Uganda with specific liaison with The Minister for Health in Uganda, and the designated local representatives in Kumi district – Dr. Felix Ochom District medical Officer and Dr. Julius Mugweri Medical Superintendent Atutur Hospital.

2. Newtraid which is a virtual organisation established to provide a meeting place for Volunteer Consultants and Clients to assist in projects focussed on sustainable development. 

Norman Martin of Newtraid will provide professional engineering advice , identify Volunteers, carry out Infrastructure surveys at the Hospital in accordance with paper B above, provide technical support in accordance with volunteers’ skills and experiences and provide IT advice and support.

3. rhc health consulting ltd which is a micro consultancy specializing in health and social care development with a particular focus on healthcare management – rjpriestley@onetel.com

Richard Priestley of rhc health consulting ltd and Newtraid will act as Project Coordinator for the management of this project, provide planning support, coordinate professional health input, identify and recruit healthcare professionals to support the plan and act as a point of contact for enquiries.

3. Key elements of the Action plan

At the time of writing in February 2007, it is planned that the main actions over the forthcoming period will include:

• Placing these papers on the Newtraid website with appropriate links and seeking further volunteers - Feb / March 2007- NM
  
• Placing these papers on the PAF website with appropriate links and seeking further volunteers - Feb / March 2007 – JO
  
• Publishing this project on the Newtraid newsletter – Feb 2007 – NM
  
• Visiting Uganda to discus the project with the Minister of Health , Local Representatives, Universities - Feb 2007 – JO
  
• Meeting with potential Medical Practitioner partners – Feb 2007 – RP
• Discussions with the Dean of the Medical school ,University of Auckland to ascertain the possibility of association with this project - Feb 2007 – NM
• Reviewing potential professional and charitable support organisations – Feb / March 2007 - including ;

      - www.dentaid.org - dental services - RP

- www.thet.org – Tropical Health and Education Trust - RP

- www.commonwealthpharmacy.org – pharmaceutical services - RP

- www.malarianomore.org – malaria control - RP

- www.nothingbutnets.net - malaria control – RP

- www.fouracretrust.org.uk – eye services – RP

- www.vao.org.uk – recycling of spectacles – RP

- www.skillshare.org – sustainable capacity building - RP
 

        - www.engineeraid.com – engineering – NM

        - UK High Commission in Uganda small grants scheme - RP

        -Other NGO’s / charities as appropriate

• Developing proposals for Project Planning and Coordination - March 2007 – RP
• Visiting Uganda to undertake site and infrastructure survey including power , water and sewerage supplies services and storage together with advising on the appointment of a Maintenance technician – April / May 2007 – NM

4. Next Steps

The key issues are:

• Firstly, to ensure that action is taken in respect of the above within the time frame identified.
• Secondly, to review the outcome of these initial actions following the return of JO and NM from Uganda in say May 2007
• Thirdly, to agree the next tranche of actions accordingly including the development of a longer term Business Plan.