Bike Uganda 2011

We are raising money to buy a vehicle to enable the mental health staff at Kisiizi Hospital in southwest Uganda, to increase the number of community clinics they run. This will cost £9000.

There are few services for the mentally ill in rural Uganda, and they are often destitute by the time they receive treatment, having tried traditional healers.  Some patients arrived tied up or in metal shackles as relative have not known how else to cope with their disturbed behaviour.  insert photo)

Shackles and ropes removed from patients

One patient, Justus, arrived very ill, having lost everything including his house, and having been abandoned by his family. He now works in the hospital as a counselor and takes responsibility for the running of the Patients’ Association.  Others are able to live normal lives in the community.

At present there are only two outreach clinics run by the hospital, which makes it harder to ensure that former patients get their maintenance medication, as it is only available from the hospital. The new vehicle will enable staff to set up regular clinics for seeing new patients and following up known patients so they can get their essential tablets.

The hospital is operated by the Church of Uganda and it has to raise 80% of its budget, with just 20% coming from the government.  All patients are expected to pay fees, but often those with mental illness have no money, as they may have spent all on traditional medicines before reaching the hospital.

This money  is being raised as part of the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership mental health link with Kisiizi hospital.