Society

Since 2007 we have been supporting the provision of health services in partnership with the German Development Service, the Health Initiative for the Private Sector and USAID.

In May 2008, we opened the Tullow constructed Kyehoro Maternity Centre, the only such centre in Western Uganda. We have continued the support and training of a midwife and nursing assistants, and to date over 140 babies have been delivered. The Centre now provides other important services such as infant immunisations, family planning and Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) for HIV/AIDS. Babies and children can be immunised against diseases such as tetanus, polio, measles, hepatitis B, tuberculosis and diphtheria. In January 2010 the Centre was granted permission to distribute Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART), which will greatly benefit HIV positive community members in the area. Although the Centre has now been handed over to the local authorities, Tullow and its partners will continue to support the facility.

The partnership has also implemented an outreach programme designed to raise awareness levels about HIV/AIDS. To further the effectiveness of this programme, 402 volunteers from the surrounding communities have been trained in topics such as sexually transmitted diseases, malaria prevention, family planning, clean water and hygiene and sanitation. So far over 26,000 community members have benefited from this programme and over 4,000 people have undergone voluntary testing for HIV.

For many communities this is the first time they have had access to treatment and care. In addition, these programmes raise awareness of health issues which help to initiate the process of behaviour change.