Rapha Hospital was constucted to enable the provision of accessible medical services for the Gomba Mpigi district.  Services includes ante-natal, HIV / AIDS, malaria, parasitology, dental,ENT, basic laboratory analysis, dispensary, nursing facilities and community health education services.

The first phase of the project was an outpatients clinic, which opened in June 2001 under the guidance and knowledge of Doctor Felix and Nurse Marion. The second phase of the project,opened in October 2003, included an extension of the wards and included martnity care. Thanks to a container of hospital beds and medical equipment the hospital was well equipped.

The third phase is underway but funding is still required for its completion. This will include the building of staff quarters, a Doctor's house, perimeter fence, and tap water from the well. The cost for this will be in the region of £40,000 / 60,000.

Many of the people in this area are very poor and cannot afford basic health care. Sometimes they cannot afford the drugs needed. This leaves the hospital with a sustainability problem. We are now asking people or organizations if they would like to help us sponsor a doctor, nurse or other personnel needed at Rapha. The cost of sponsoring these people for a MONTH is as follows:

• Doctor : £250 / 340
• Medical assistant : £150 / 220
• Registered Nurse : £100 / 150
• Midwife : £100 / 150
• Laboratory Technician : £100 / 150
• Nursing Aide : £40 / 60
• Supportive Staff : £30 / 45

Fiona Ross 

Fiona Ross left Scotland to champion the community based healthcare work at Rapha Clinic, in the Mpigi district of Uganda. Fiona is an experienced community nurse having experience not only in Scotland but Uganda itself. Fiona has managed to help forge a strong link between the local community and health authorities. The work at Rapha is focused on mother and child health, HIV counselling and testing. Initially, Fiona's work took place under a tree and 181 people were seen. Since that first clinic there have been numerous clinics held either in the open air or in local churches/buildings. Antenatal clinics, immunisations and registration for the HIV programme take place. There are many challenges faced by the staff, the need is overwhelming at times - malnutrition, extreme poverty, ignorance and neglect of health problems, STD's, HIV and AIDS. However Fiona and her assistant Sarah (a Ugandan Registered Nurse, who came from the Mpigi district originally) are working tirelessly to help the people overcome their difficulties and encourage them to access the health care they offer.

Please remember Fiona and Sarah as they head up this necessary work especially in the following areas:

• Safety on the roads especially during rainy season!
• That people would see and receive the love of God through the hands of Fiona and Sarah.
• For Fiona and Sarah that they might have the strength and energy to carry out their duties and strategise for the way forward.