A Partnership in Caring volunteers visit Health Centre

We received this update from A Partnership in Caring Volunteer Lynn MacDonald in Rwanda:

Carolyn Rideout and I visited SAVE, to see the health clinic which we support through A Partnership in Caring. The clinic is a very busy place with many patients needing attention.

We were told of a young woman of unfortunate circumstances, she is 5 months pregnant, has two small children at home and is a victim of spousal abuse. After this recent beating from her husband, she could not feel the baby move. She has health insurance, but could not afford the fee for transport. Unfortunately, the 1986 clinic ambulance (purchased second hand) usually breaks down and is unreliable for transport. Sr Immaculee, the nurse manager, informed us that she needed to send her to a district hospital for fetal monitoring, as they had none. We agreed to pay for her transport and will purchase a fetal heart monitor for the clinic. I was able to examine her, and although unable to hear a fetal heartbeat, could feel movement so we were feeling hopeful. It is a sad situation.

A Partnership in Caring volunteer Lynn MacDonald examining a patient in Maternity

A Partnership in Caring volunteer Lynn MacDonald examining a patient in Maternity

We also found another child with obvious developmental delay, who is being cared for by his grandmother, so we plan to have him assessed at a local rehab hospital, the same institution we sent another young patient to a year ago.

Patients at Health Centre SAVE

Patients at Health Centre SAVE

The small boy you see me with is 4 years old, so small for his age, we are told malnourishment is a big problem here in this rural area. So we leave with many thoughts on other ways we can help and hopefully improve the lives of those here in rural southern Rwanda.

A Partnership in Caring volunteer Lynn MacDonald with young boy at Health Centre at SAVE

A Partnership in Caring volunteer Lynn MacDonald with young boy at Health Centre at SAVE