We are happy to announce and provide this exciting update about the ability to further build capacity at our Health Centers in Uganda. On a daily basis, we provide excellent care to older persons and members of the surrounding community! ROTOM encourages others’ open access to the medical services at ROTOM Health Centers for a small user fee. Our forthcoming goal is to increase the services provided at our facilities which will eventually increase income generated from private patients and benefit the entire ecosystem. Some of the ways this expansion will be done, include:
ROTOM Health Centers have improved their customer care experience by introducing these new services
- Home Visitations Scheme: The medical team managed to recruit 10 private patients with non-communicable diseases, and they were added as monthly drug refill patients. Also, medical checkups from their homes were performed twice monthly for these patients.
- Customer Follow-up & Check-up Calls: Follow-up and check-up calls to our private patients through our reception call center. Private patients in our records received a call at least once a month to check on their wellbeing or follow-up after a doctor’s visit, or remind them of their next visit. This greatly improved our relationship with our private patients.
- Radio Talk Shows: Radio talk shows were held every Saturday on Radio Rukiga FM from 7:30pm-8:00 pm which has created awareness of our impact and services in the communities of Rukiga (South western Uganda). The talk shows are conducted by the medical personnel and also social workers at ROTOM. The communities have embraced these talk shows.
Health Care Partnerships
Eye Screening Program at Rushoka Health Centre IV
Because of our partnership with Rushoka Health Centre IV in Southwestern Uganda, some ROTOM seniors were taken for screening of their eyes. A few of them were selected for eye surgery while others were given medicines, and some got eye glasses. Out of 40 seniors who received eye screenings, 10 underwent successful eye operations for various defects, 14 received glasses, 4 were referred to the Mbarara Regional Hospital (in western Uganda) for further investigations, and the remainder of them received medication. Most of those who had operations, underwent Cataract Removal; and all have regained their eyesight.
Specialized Health Care
ROTOM Health Center in Muhanga has built partnerships with Medicus Medical Center in the Kabale district. (This center is owned by a consultant physician in the United States.) Through this partnership, ROTOM seniors, staff, and private patients were able to receive specialized care when referred for further management. Kisizi Hospital in Rukiga area is also a partner with the ROTOM Health Center where major surgeries are administered when needed.
Sustainability Projects
To increase our services at the Health Centers, we also plan to remodel the ROTOM Health Center in Muhanga in the future. Remodeling will provide improved space for a reception, a dispensary, triage room, an emergency room, 2nd consultation room, a Drug Store and theater to carry out minor operations. The remodeling project will commence as soon as funding is secured.
We are deeply grateful for the incredible support we receive from you – which makes this work possible. We continue to see an increase in incomes, especially from private patients. More partnerships have been created as we strive to build our capacity and increase awareness of the services provided at our Health Centers.
We continue to trust God for wisdom as we serve our supported seniors, their children and the extended communities. Thank you for loving and supporting ROTOM and our Health Care Centers!