It was wonderful to see around 70 people gather from all over the UK for our annual Friends Day in Reading, once again at the excellent Brookside Church in Reading organised by Dr Philip and Jocelyn Haynes. The mix of ages and variety of different links with Kisiizi is heart-warming. Some had been involved for decades, others are preparing to go out for the first time.
Sadly Dr Henry Lukabwe, Medical Superintendent at Kisiizi, was refused a visa to visit UK to be Guest of Honour at Friends Day.
Happily we did have Dr Helen and Alan Smith with us who had recently visited Kisiizi and were able to bring up-to-date feedback. They were congratulated by all present on the award of their MBE’s in the New Years Honours list recognising their work with Kisiizi Partners. They shared about the wide range of support given by Kisiizi Partners and the Child Sponsorship orphan programme. (www.kisiizipartners.org.uk)
Dr Lionel Mills, former Medical Superintendent, interviewed Dr Kevin and Shiela Vaughan who had been able to visit Kisiizi again earlier this year. They had served in Kisiizi for over ten years up to 1986, Kevin as Medical Superintendent having taken over from Dr John Davies. It was moving to hear of the joy of the reunions with friends, some of whom they had not expected to be able to see again; and their observations about the extraordinary development of Kisiizi and all its ministries since those hard times when the country faced many serious challenges. So many answered prayers!
Video contributions from Emily & Harry Farley and Dr David Chadwick describing their visits to Kisiizi plus the greetings on video from Dr Henry, Moses Mugume, Sister Aggie Katwesigye and Precious Tumushemure, the Finance Manager, were much appreciated along with a variety of clips of different aspects of the many ministries of Kisiizi. The Kisiizi team also shared dreams for the future including the need for a new incinerator and 4-wheel drive ambulance to replace aging predecessors; and a CT scanner as currently patients have to be transported for a couple of hours on rough roads to Mbarara or Kabale if they need a scan.
Linda Shuttleworth gave an excellent presentation regarding the rolling out across Uganda of mental health principles pioneered in Kisiizi with Jamie’s Fund and now published in a peer-reviewed journal:
British Journal of Psychiatry International “The impact of the Jamie’s Fund MH Community Sensitisation events for local leaders”
Jamie’s Fund has now completed its work having achieved its aims but its wonderful legacy continues. The Ahumuza Centre in Kisiizi is the centre of important outreach into the community.
Friends were encouraged to hear from Debbie and Mick Burke updates on the progress at Hope Community Clinic in Rwentobo (https://www.missionrwentobo.org/) that is managed by Kisiizi. Significant infrastructure improvements have been achieved and preparations are underway to start maternity services which will greatly increase the number coming through the clinic. The Hope Clinic is run in partnership with World Shine and has opened up new areas for the Kisiizi Health Co-operative community health insurance scheme.
Our friends in the Irish Republic sent feedback about the important contribution of CHEEERS (https://www.cheeersdht.ie/) with an enthusiastic team visit and successful workshop as well as valued help with medical equipment including a bronchoscope.
Stre@mline, (www.streamlinehealth.org) the IT system developed in Kisiizi, is now in over 100 health institutions across Uganda and beginning to reach other African countries. It not only provides electronic medical records with patient safety features but also has modules for community health insurance, does patient finance, supports the whole procurement process and stock control etc.
After lunch we had an excellent interactive question and answer discussion time and concluded with video encouragement from Dr Henry to book the dates of the Platinum Jubilee to celebrate 70 years of Kisiizi on 21st-23rd January 2028 in Kisiizi.
Drs Graham and Jane Pettinger did a great job selling Bags of Difference items (https://www.facebook.com/KisiiziKrafts/)
As always one of the greatest blessings of the day is the fellowship over tea, coffee and lunch before, during and after the formal sessions, re-establishing old friendships and making new ones. We prayed for Friends going out to Kisiizi in the coming months and individuals made video greetings to go out to Kisiizi.
