The Marginalized
The Challenge of HIV/AIDS
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HIV is still a major global health issue.
In the area where we work in Uganda, AIDS was first observed in the early 1980s. Since then we have been engaged in developing programs and materials to educate for the prevention of the spread of HIV, in outreach programmes, involving hundreds of local health volunteers. >>> read more.
Obstetric Fistula Repair
Obstetric fistula (vesico-vaginal fistula or VVF) develops from prolonged and obstructed labour. Usually the infant is dead upon delivery, and the mother is left with severe internal damage, leaving her incontinent, in acute pain, and with great difficulty in walking.
The skilled surgery to correct this problem requires very long apprenticeship. Sister Ann Ward is an MMM obstetrician who has spent over 40 years in Nigeria, where she established a specialist centre at Itam known as the Family Life Centre. Her pioneering work in corrective surgery for this problem has been internationally acclaimed. >>> read more.
For more information
- Sr Ann Ward pioneer of Obstetric Fistula repair
- MMM Sister-doctors honoured for VVF work
- Obstetric Fistula needs more specialists
- Obstetric Fistula Training Programme, Uganda
- Women supporting women: Pioneering fistula services in Africa
Palliative Care
In Uganda, we have a very active Palliative Care Team, made up of Sister-doctor Carla Simmons along with nurses Rose, Resty and their driver, Aloysius. Nurses Rose and Resty are pictured here visiting the home of a patient with Kaposi's Sarcoma.
The Palliative Care Team is part of the home care unit, based at Masaka. It has a staff of 22, including the staff who administer antiretroviral therapy. >>> read more.
See also - Sister Carla's Palliative Care Diary