A Day at Outreach Clinic

A Day at Outreach Clinic in the Tikonko Chiefdom

Report from February 2023

By Carol Nelson, Medical Program Director

Outreach Clinic barrie

The Mobile Outreach Clinic in the rural village of Gbalehun was packed with mothers and children on the hot 100-degree day when a volunteer team from the USA was visiting. The site, a small, thatched roof barrie, was teeming with people and many more crowded into a shady spot at a nearby building. 

By mid-morning, the Midwife at the Outreach Clinic, Aminata, was called to an emergency in a distant village, where a pregnant woman was hemorrhaging. The RHCI Toyota Hilux rushed with Aminata, to the village of Sembehun, about 20 minutes in distance, to transport the expectant mother to the Bo Government Hospital, which was about 45 minutes away.  Thankfully, Aminata and the expectant mother made it to the hospital it time. The expectant mother delivered a preterm baby by C-section, and received blood transfusions. Both the of the mother, and the newborn were saved. 

Road from Outreach Clinic

By noon at the Outreach Clinic, two critically ill babies, ages 6-months and 10-months, had been identified and needed urgent hospital care. The 6-month-old baby, Mariama, was febrile and grunting with respiratory distress. She was transported with her mother by RHCI’s new Land Cruiser to Bo Children’s Hospital, where she received life-saving care for severe pneumonia and malaria. The 10-month-old baby, Sheku, was severely malnourished and dehydrated. This baby and her mother were transported to the Bo Government hospital re-feeding program.  Fortunately, both of these babies survived and returned home the following week.  RHCI provided the crucial transportation and covered hospital fees. 

Child being evaluated for malnutrition with the MUAC (Mid upper arm circumference). Results are “in red” meaning they are malnourished.

 During the clinic day, RHCI’s Tikonko Outreach Coordinator, Mohamed Kabba, coordinated the services being provided.  Nutritionist, Umu Shour, facilitated malnutrition evaluation and care. The nurses from the CHC provided the medical care to the children and mothers, many with malaria. RHCI Nurse Juliana Sagba provided family planning counseling and supplies. 

Nick and Riley volunteering at Outreach Clinic

By the end of the day, over 120 people, including 112 children through age 10 and ten pregnant women, received medical services from RHCI, the Community Health Center staff, and volunteers Riley Delude and Nick Gaines.  All of the medications provided and the therapeutic food were provided by RHCI.  

The impact of the Mobile Outreach Clinics is enormous and the beneficiaries are very grateful for the services provided by RHCI in partnership with the Community Health Clinic staff.  

2-year-old, Sma, doing well in the malnutrition program