January 2025: Progress Forward

January was a milestone month for Muira Village Health Center, marking our highest patient interactions ever recorded. We had patient interactions 2,783 patients, a testament to our clinic’s expanding role in providing critical healthcare to the community.

This month, we were honored to host our American team for two weeks. Their visit was filled with team-building activities, one-on-one sessions with staff, and impactful clinic improvements. Their support and dedication played a big role in further developing our facilities and operations.

After discussing key concerns and identifying areas for improvement, we took action and made significant upgrades to our clinic:

• New Men’s Treatment Room – A dedicated space to improve efficiency in patient care.

• Pediatric Isolation Ward – A specialized ward for children with measles, SARS, and other contagious illnesses, ensuring better infection control.

• Pharmacy Stock Room – A newly designated space to store surplus medication, IVs, maternal care bags, and other essential supplies.

Malaria remains one of the most pressing health challenges in our region. To address this, our American team brought mosquito zappers from the USA. We installed five in total—four in the wards and one at the clinic entrance—helping to reduce mosquito presence and lessen the risk of malaria spread inclinic.

With donation funds, we were also able to purchase an autoclave, a vital piece of equipment for sterilizing instruments used in deliveries and minor operations. This addition enhances our ability to provide safe and hygienic maternal care, reducing infection risks for both mothers and newborns. Thanks to another donation, our lab received a new centrifuge, protective goggles, and other lab equipment. Shoutout to everyone who’s supporting us!

We also purchased new signage for the clinic entrance and installed lights to ensure it remains visible at night. This makes it easier for patients, especially in emergencies, to locate the clinic after dark.

We’re also excited to share that we now have two iPads to assist with bookkeeping and inventory management. These devices will help streamline stock tracking, ensuring better organization of our supplies. Additionally, they will be used for virtual meetings via Zoom, allowing us to stay connected with partners and supporters more efficiently.

With growth comes the need for more hands on deck. We’re excited to welcome three new team members:

• Caro – Medical Records Officer, streamlining patient documentation.

• Bernard – Maintenance Worker, ensuring our facilities remain in top shape.

• Michael – A local student assisting with reception duties, improving patient flow.

With a record-breaking number of patient visits, our demand for medication has risen sharply. We are working hard to ensure our pharmacy remains stocked, but we urgently need assistance in purchasing more essential medicines to meet the needs of our patients.

We are actively engaging with government entities to establish a partnership for monthly deliveries of high-demand medications like Paracetamol and Lonart. Our goal is to collaborate on a sustainable solution that ensures consistent access to essential medicines for our patients. We remain hopeful for a positive outcome and will provide updates as discussions progress.

Your support makes all the difference. If you’d like to contribute to keeping Muira stocked with essential medicines, please consider donating. Every contribution directly impacts the health and well-being of our community.

💙 Donate today at Muira.org

Thank you for being a part of this journey with us!

— The Muira Village Health Center Team

December 2024: A Milestone Month at Muira Village Health Center

As we close out 2024, we’re thrilled to reflect on an incredibly successful December and a remarkable year overall at Muira Village Health Center.

December we had over 1,600 patient interactions, marking the busiest month to date. The largest demographic we served was children aged 0-6 years, who made up 32% of our patients. The three most common conditions diagnosed were malaria, upper respiratory tract infections, and coughs/colds—highlighting the ongoing importance of accessible healthcare in our community.

On December 30, we set a new record, with 154 patients in a single day. The news of our clinic is spreading, with patients now traveling from as far as 45 kilometers to receive care.

This month, we launched a Family Planning and Maternal Health Program aimed at supporting pregnant mothers. The program provides:

• Monthly check-ups to ensure ongoing care.

• Antenatal cards for tracking pregnancies.

• Screenings to monitor the health of both mother and baby throughout pregnancy.

We’re proud to report that we delivered 4 babies this month.

In addition, we completed the construction of a new pit latrine, designed to improve sanitation and make our facilities more accessible and hygienic for patients and visitors. We also repainted the cafeteria and water tap stations.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our incredible team on the ground. Thank you for going above and beyond to serve our community!

Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited to continue building on this momentum. We are committed to securing more donors and donations to sustain and expand our services. In addition, we’re now working with a grant writer to pursue funding opportunities that will enable us to broaden our impact even further.

A major focus for the coming year will be improving our OBGYN services as a whole. We aim to increase our capacity for deliveries and introduce essential tools such as ultrasounds, which will enhance diagnostic capabilities for maternal and general health. We also plan to establish blood transfusion services to better support emergencies and complex cases.

Another priority is to expand our laboratory capabilities. To improve diagnostic efficiency and accuracy, we plan to purchase an autoclave, a CBC (Complete Blood Count) machine, and a new microscope.

To our donors, partners, and the entire community we serve, thank you for your support. Together, we’ve accomplished so much in 2024, and we look forward to an impactful 2025.

— The Muira Village Health Center Team

Improving Sanitation at Muira Village Health Center: A New Pit Latrine and Waste

Over the past months, we’ve been monitoring an ongoing issue with our public restroom. Many patients found it difficult to use the English-style toilets, leading to frequent clogs caused by items such as rocks, banana leaves, and other inappropriate materials.

We also noticed that homemade diapers were often discarded near the restroom area, creating sanitation challenges for our staff and posing risks to public health. Recognizing the need for a practical, culturally appropriate solution, we conducted a community survey in December. The feedback was clear: implementing a pit latrine would best address these challenges.

Acting on this input, we quickly designed and constructed a pit latrine facility, completing the project in just three weeks. The new facility includes:

• Four stalls, each with a door for privacy and ease of use.

• Pits that extend approximately 14 feet down, providing sufficient capacity for long-term use.

• A small drop hole, designed to prevent falls.

• A covered slab, to minimize odors and reduce the presence of flies.

• An air vent, to promote airflow and further reduces odors.

To further support cleanliness of the facility, we’ve placed large trash cans near the latrine to give patients a convenient and easily accessible place to dispose of trash and diapers responsibly.

The new latrine and waste management system will officially open in January 2025. These improvements represent an important step in addressing sanitation challenges, ensuring public health, and creating a cleaner, more welcoming environment for everyone who visits the health center.

— The Muira Village Health Center Team

Muira Village Health Center Welcomes First Baby

Last night, on October 3rd at 9 PM, we witnessed a beautiful milestone at Muira Village Health Center—the delivery of our very first baby! It was a joyous occasion as we welcomed a healthy baby boy weighing an impressive 4.3 kilograms into the world.

The mother’s water had broken nearly 24 hours earlier, but with the incredible dedication and skill of our doctor and midwife, everything went smoothly.

This isn’t just about delivering a baby—it’s about what this moment represents. It’s a sign of progress, hope, and the trust our community has placed in us. For the family, it’s the start of a beautiful new journey, and for all of us at Muira, it’s a reminder of why we do what we do.

We’re so proud of our team for their hard work and grateful to everyone who supports Muira Health Center. Moments like this remind us how far we’ve come and how much we can accomplish together.

To the new mother and her baby boy, we send our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes. Thank you for letting us be part of your story.

Here’s to many more milestones ahead!

— The Muira Village Health Center Team