Aged Care in Uganda

Services for older people are virtually non-existent in Uganda and if there is no family support, it is exceedingly hard for frail aged individuals to manage. I was aware of this on my recent visit as I was directly involved with several old women. One - though only in her early 70's - like others of that age appeared physically much older, following a lifetime of physically demanding labour, poor nutrition and surviving periods of civil unrest.

As I traveled around I became acutely conscious of this generally overlooked problem. Older women and men who were suffering from eye diseases - cataracts are common - probably other eye diseases as well, causing sight impairment and blindness. Incontinence - particularly urinary incontinence in older women, exacerbated by multiple pregnancies/childbirth in a country where it is quite common for women to deliver up to a dozen children. (That trend is beginning to change with more access to family planning).

Where incontinence products were available I found they were both scarce and far too expensive for an average Ugandan to afford (25,000/- for 8 disposable pads on an average income of less than a dollar a day is totally unrealistic for many people). Women (and men) simply suffer their incontinence in very undignified fashion. Several women I encountered were also suffering from urinary tract infection making the problem worse - and skin rashes from constant contact of urine with their skin.

My friend Edith's 74 year old mother, Helina, was admitted overnight to a small private eye clinic in order to have her cataract removed. Post-operation, it was necessary for her to remain in the hospital - which was when Edith and I realised that she was incontinent. I hunted high and low for continence products in the large regional city, eventually finding the only packet available which I purchased; enough pads to preserve her dignity throughout her short hospital stay.

I set about finding a solution for Helina after she had returned to her village. Cutting a bath towel into strips and having a tailor stitch a soft water proof backing with long tapes that she could tie either side of her waist was my crude but effective creation. The pads could be worn at night then washed thoroughly and hung to dry. It cost approximately 5000UG/ for two pads ($2.7AU or UK 1.60). Helina, the recipient of those pads was delighted. 

Small Project Initiative:
It occurred to me that given the obvious need for re-usable continence products, one of the TASO support groups or a group from SECODEI could work up a small business proposal and mass-produce something similar to the pads I designed. This would serve them and the wider community.
Helina leaving the hospital, well again after her cataract operation

I will pursue the project further; as with all the projects outlined on this blog, support and suggestions from interested parties anywhere in the world are welcomed. You can find my email address under 'How You Can Help' at right >>>>

The only aged care facility that I came across was St.Paul's based just outside Mbarara and I am attaching a short amount of information from their website, together with a link for any who may be interested or wish to support their project directly. (Unfortunately I visited late one evening on my return journey to Kampala and did not meet any of the elderly residents. I did have a conversation with one of the key workers and was impressed by the services they are offering to isolated older people and the service is unique in Uganda and worthy of further investigation on my next trip!) 

www.stpaulsfamily

One of many activities run by St. Paul's Family is a project for helping the elderly poor. St. Paul's Family centre for the aged is a big beautiful home situated on 19.6 acres of land in Bwenkoma Ruti, 8 km from Mbarara town along Mbarara Kabale road. This land was donated to the family by Rt. Rev Paul K. Bakyenga, the ArchBishop of Mbarara Archdiocese. It was officially opened by Arch Bishop Christophe Pierre, the then Papal Nuncio to Uganda on May 7, 2005.

The centre's main development objective is to improve the quality of life for the elderly in Uganda. The beneficiaries of this project are poor men and women aged 65 years and above who have no one to look after them. The centre has the following immediate objectives;

To establish an outreach programme to cater for the elderly

To improve access to medical care for the elderly

To provide income generating opportunities for the elderly.

The centre provides basic needs such as shelter, beddings, clothes and a few household items. It also offers assistance such as repair of houses, provision of household items where beneficiaries decide to remain in their own homes. To date thirty seven elderly poor people have been assisted through this project. In addition the centre provides healthcare services through an operational clinic run by a trained medical doctor.

All are welcome to visit this project and to contribute to its growth and sustainability. Looking forward to receiving you.

Contact us: Email: project@stpaulsfamily.info

Tel: +256 772 672 527/ +256 772 826 832