Bwindi Community Hospital
Bwindi Community Hospital is located on the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The hospital was started in 2003 and provides health care to about 25,000 people in the Kayonza sub-county of Kanungu District, one of the poorest regions of the world. The hospital is partially funded through user fees and also through donations. The hopital provides outpatient services by a doctor or clinical officer, but also provides two wards for patients who are very ill, a delivery unit, and a prenatal clinic run by a midwife. Tuberculosis medications are managed through a community worker and some childhood immunizations are available. There are dentistry services and diagnostic facilities including a laboratory, x-ray, and ultrasound machine. An AIDS clinic has recently begun operating at the clinic.
Some of Deeper Africa's gorilla treks visit the Bwindi Community Hospital for an afternoon of activities. The clinic welcomes you as a guest and you meet clinic workers and members of the community. Our travelers tour the facility and learn more about health issues in this area of Uganda. If Dr. Paul Williams, the clinic director, is at the clinic you will meet him as well. Deeper Africa makes a charitable donation on a guest's behalf for use by the clinic as needed. The donation, which is made in the name of each traveler, is tax deductible. Bwindi Community Hospital's website is at www.BCHC.ug.
Many Deeper Africa guests become long term contributors to the clinic through their “Friends” of Bwindi Community Hospital. “Friends” pay a monthly or annual subscription that helps the clinic fund the running costs of the hospital, including staff salaries, medication, and equipment. In return “Friends” receive regular updates from the Hospital about progress being made in the community.
A small amount goes a long way in helping. For example:
$20 per month Pays for fresh milk used to feed malnourished children
$50 per month Pays the cost of fuel to get essential drugs and supplies from
Kampala
$100 per month Pays the salary of a nurse working in the pediatric ward
$350 per month Pays the salary of a Ugandan clinical officer providing essential primary care services
View this video to learn more about Bwindi Community Hospital.