Providing health care to 1000s in Bujumbura slum

COVID-19 AND NTASEKA CLINIC

In the month January 2021, Friends Women’s Association has continued to apply Covid-19 restrictions at Ntaseka Clinic for both the staff and the beneficiaries’ protection. John Gould Family Foundation has again provided to Ntaseka clinic 500 disposable gloves, 500 surgical masks, 200 KN 95 masks, 15 aprons and 1 infrared thermometer. 

ACTIVITIESCaring for HIV Positive People (CHIVPP)

In the month of January 2021, medical follow up and home visits were done for our HIV positive people.

Maternity Ward Building

In the month of January 2021, with the support from the Canadian Friends Service Committee (CFSC), we have started the concreting and plastering of Ntaseka clinic maternity ward walls.

Improving Women’s Reproductive Health (IWRH)

FWA community health workers and FWA staff have continued to educate men, women and young people on the importance of family planning.

One discussion group for young girls was done on January 21^st, 2021.

One discussion group for girls mothers was done on January 28^th, 2021

Rape Survivors’ Support (RSS)

At the end of January 2021, we had a total of 122 Self-Help Groups for a total of 2863 women.

One trauma healing workshop was done. Facilitators were MISAGO Gisele and HORANIMANA Grace.

Stories

“I am a woman who knows how to do business I had a lot of dreams. Unfortunately my husband wasted everything. My husband loved me but I don't know what he suddenly changed him. He started to beat me and to be irresponsible; he wasted the family richness. He no longer gave me food while he refused me to work. My children lacked what to eat until they vomited because they were starving.

I began to look for a small capital to work so that I can feed my children. I started saving until I got 3 million Burundi Francs. I wanted to buy a plot of land, and I told him about this project.  I went myself to withdraw the money in my account; I gave the money to husband to buy the plot. One of my coworkers called me to tell me that my husband was with another woman in a hotel. I got ready and took the road and saw my husband with my own eyes with another woman. I asked him where is the money of the plot he did not answer me. I spent sleepless nights crying. From there I understood that my husband became a monster I even thought to kill him.

I sold my place in the market because of him, I worked in the street in town and the police forbid us to work there, the goods were taken from me many times and I was even imprisoned because of that but he didn't come to see me. When I gave birth I managed to pay the hospital bills he didn't even come to see a baby

Conflicts became unbearable until we’ve separated. Now, I live with my six children, he does not know how my children live.”

 *****

“I and my husband were alcoholic, and in our house there was always quarrels.  Because I want peace I stopped drinking alcohol; I have become a Christian but that didn't change anything, my husband continued to mistreat me.

I am a legally married woman but I am unhappy. An incident that happened three months ago:  we were discussing about a woman who lives in our house and my husband kicked me several times until I became unconscious. I found myself in the hospital. I couldn't walk. I was given a lot of medicine but in vain I spent 2 months on my bed. I was going to die.

I was transferred to a bigger hospital for an operation but I could not pay the bill, and I went back home. By the grace of God one day I saw black things coming from my wound and I went to the hospital for treatment and I was healed after few days.

I was forced by people to put him in jail but I thought about my children; I'm sick I can't work but my husband is going to feed my children. That’s why I didn’t go to courts.

The doctor told me that I must not sleep with my husband again. Even the local authorities told me that I must be separated with this man. This is how we separated each one lives in his room”.

Recommendations

• A follow up of participant is needed 
• An evaluation to measure the impact of HROC on participant is needed.
  

Lessons Learned:

Many of the participants are victims of domestic violence; they live with their husbands who are actors of their violence which complicates their healing process.

ACTION ON GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (GBV)

In the month of January 2021, the final reports were produced to the Canadian Friends Service Committee (CFSC).

MEDICAL TEAM CONSULTATIONS

Our medical doctors consulted with 122 cases, including 57 adults (18 men and 39 women), 20 children (10 boys and 10 girls), 21 HIV positive people and 24 pregnant women for ultrasound. The nurse received 320patients including 218 adults and 102 children.

LABORATORY

In January 2021, apart from HIV voluntary testing, there were a total of 300 tests. See attached chart.

FAMILY PLANNING

522 people received contraceptives from FWA’s nurse, including 279 old cases and 181 new ones. 302 received the contraceptive injection, 44 were given pills, 151 received male condoms, 23 received implants, and 1 received UID

PRENATAL CONSULTATION (PNC)

In the month of January 2021, 33 women came for prenatal consultation (PNC), including 14 who came for PNC 1, 9 for PNC 2 and 9 for PNC 3 and 1 for PNC 4.

24 pregnant women came for the ultrasound test.                       

ANTI-RETROVIRAL SITE

At the end of January 2021, we had 330 patients under retro drugs followed at NTASEKA clinic, including 267 women and 63 men.

PHARMACY

Regarding medications, FWA was able to purchase the minimum needed medicine.

PSYCHOSOCIAL TEAM

In the month of January 2021, a total of 60 people received pre and post HIV test counselling and were tested for HIV.

Total Number of People Tested: 60

Total Number of Women Tested: 46

% of People Tested Who Are Women: 77%

Average Age:  27

Median Age:  26

Total HIV+ :  7

Total HIV- : 53

Number of Women HIV+ : 6

Total % Seropositivity: 12%

% of Women Tested Who Are HIV+: 13%