Current Priorities
Daily Operational Costs
Patient contributions do not cover the expenses necessary to run Engeye Clinic. Therefore, until a sound business model is implemented (a work in progress!), we must wire monthly financial contributions to Uganda.
Current operating costs average $1,000 USD/month ($34/day) and provide for salaries for health care workers, medication refills, patient records and other clinic supplies and equipment.
Accepted by Engineers Without Borders - Now seeking a Local Chapter!
www.ewb-usa.org/OpenProjects.php
Engeye Health Clinic was approved for project status by the Engineers Wihout Borders-US Technical Advisory Committee in October, 2008. This is an exciting first step towards Engeye's hope to procure and install a transformer, pump, cistern, and/or other engineered method to supply the clinic with power and running water. Installation of a power source would enable the use of computer equipment for documenting and organizing medical records, vital laboratory tools such as centrifuges and ultrasound machines, and other life-saving medial equipment. Engeye is currently searching for an EWB chapter to adopt the project.
Our Diagnostic Lab - Construction in Progress!
Despite the success of Engeye Health Clinic's maiden voyage, we were forced to accommodate one obvious deficiency- the lack of a diagnostic lab to make accurate diagnoses. More often than not we were forced to make educated guesses based on a patient's visible symptoms and medical history.
Our main goal prior to the arrival of the next team to Uganda is to build and equip a small lab adjacent to the main clinic building.
Meeting the immediate needs of our clinic won't require sophisticated and expensive equipment and supplies. Nor will it require a large space. A field microscope is essential. Beyond that, there are inexpensive tests that render precise results for malaria, HIV, and other STDs safely and quickly.
Engeye Diagnostic Lab –
Construction in progress!
These tests will help us facilitate better care and treatment, and ensure we are not overlooking infirmities that can only be validated with diagnostic testing.
In addition to servicing the needs of our clinic, the lab will serve as a fund-raising tool when we are able to run tests for other organizations.
Electricity
The Engeye Health Clinic is currently functioning without electricity. Candles, lanterns, and flashlights provide the only illumination after sunset or on dark days.
The acquisition of electricity would be invaluable. In addition to making day-to-day functioning of the clinic less problematic, it would allow us to perform surgeries.
There are now estimated to be fewer than 10 surgeons available to the inhabitants of a country of over 25 million people, and those are prohibitively expensive.
The nearest power pole is less than 30 meters away, and the cost of electrifying the clinic building would be less than $10,000 USD.
The members of Engeye appreciate any help that you might be able to provide with this project.
UPDATE: The clinic has been wired and 4 solar panels installed! Lights were introduced to the clinic for the first time ever. Next we hope to fund a transformer, which will bring continuous power to the health clinic.