NEWSLETTER for March '09

The year started with a review and planning meeting of the entire senior staff of the hospital and the Nursing School and acknowledged the progress that both institutions have made. It also recognised there is still more to be done to bring the institution up to the high standards attained before the war. In line with improving standards at the hospital, the Conference Office has helped us with the recruitment of two additional doctors, one who started at the beginning of March, the second to join us at the beginning of September after he completes his houseman ship in Freetown. We therefore have three doctors working full time, as Dr Hopkins, who last year did six month’s charity work, has joined us this year for another six-months.

With regards to general administration of the hospital – our drug supply situation has improved considerably even though it is not at the level we would like. We presently purchase our stock on the open market which puts a big dent in the hospital’s income – which wasn’t much to start with. The supply of drugs from the district medical stores is patchy and does not always cover the most essential drugs required for the commonest ailments such as malaria, worm infestations etc. We were blessed to receive a consignment of essential drugs (and other materials) for the treatment of haemorrhages in pregnant women and other maternal emergencies from a UK-based charity. These drugs are very important in the hospital’s desire to reduce death among pregnant women. We are very grateful to Hope for Grace Kodindo Charity for their donations.


The hospital in February extended the medical outreach services to cover four villages. This is another key step in the hospital’s strategy of delivering good quality and affordable medical services to a greater percentage of the community. One of the key objectives is to develop a system that would enable, through the outreach programme, to identify cases that need early medical intervention. The programme would therefore supplement other core activities of the hospital such as the immunization programme and the ante-natal clinic whereby the outreach team would follow-up on pregnant women who miss their appointments or may require regular monitoring to ensure safer birth.

The challenges of generating funds to run the hospital are a daily pre-occupation for us at Nixon considering that we operate in an economically deprived area and are always exploring new avenues for generating extra income for the hospital.



Nursing School
Joanna is currently very busy with the second years as they begin their obstetrics module. This year is particularly challenging because the set has over 50 students. The class requires twice the time needed for preparation of teaching aids, and working out placements and duty rota. Happily the progress of the students is positive which makes all the hard work well worth it. The next challenge for Joanna would be to find enough Peripheral Health Units in the villages that would be prepared to accept these students for their four-week obstetrics placements at the beginning of May.


On the family front, Joelle has started attending pre-school and seems to be enjoying herself. There have been a couple of times when she picked up stomach bugs either from the water at the school or the food they give the children. Otherwise she is enjoying school and this has made a tremendous difference as it enables us to focus our mornings on our responsibilities at the hospital and nursing school.
We are looking forward to our furlough in October when we should be able to spend sometime in the UK . It is then we also hope to catch up with family and friends.


Prayer Points.

For continued progress of the hospital and God direction in the plans we have for the hospital.
For strength and wisdom for Joanna as she prepares these new batch of students towards their state examinations.
For protection and strength for Joelle at her school and from the constant illness that have been plaguing her.
Lastly, for God’s will to be done in our lives as we strive to do our best for both the hospital and Nursing school.