Howard Hospital - Zimbabwe
Salvation Army Howard Hospital - Zimbabwe
"We are sometimes asked - Why the Howard Hospital?"
As in most projects there are personal, partners and unique political issues that make the “Howard Hospital” a unique opportunity for Rotary.
Let's deal first with the Political reality of Zimbabwe. This is a country, where many in the world, because of it’s leadership, have turned their back on a people in need who have about a 30% AID infection rate. Included are many Rotarians in this country. However using the network of Rotary we can work with them as partners to seek the best means to assist them and their countrymen.
On the Personal front we have two Canadian Doctors working to assist a large number of AIDS patients. In Africa – Dr Paul Thistle is the Medical Director and Chief Surgeon for the hospital while Dr Michael Silverman is an infectious diseases expert here in Canada with an expertise in treating HIV/AIDS patients. This “Dynamic Duo” began working in tandem in 1998 and have made great strides in improving the treatment and prospects for the Community surrounding the Howard Hospital.
Finally there is a unique partnership that has made working in this country possible. There are three organizations working together have been able to find a way to make real change in spite of challenges. They are:
The Salvation Army in Zimbabwe which has a long history, strong network and status as a recognized humanitarian organization.
Ve’ahavta a Jewish based humanitarian organization in Toronto that have been supplying/coordinating many personnel/supplies sent to the Howard Hospital.
Rotary in Canada and Zimbabwe. With the joint effort of 4 clubs – RC of Belleville, RC of Scarborough, RC of Whitby Sunrise and RC of Whitby we are working with the Zimbabwe clubs - RC Central Harare and RC Hunyani using RI Matching Grants and CRCID funds to make a difference.
Where is the Howard Hospital?
Zimbabwe is located in the centre of Southern Africa (country in Dark Purple) and Harare the capital is highlighted with a star.
The Howard Hospital is located about 180 km north of the capital.
There are many Challenges in Zimbabwe both Political and Economic.
President Mugabe- Since 1981
Was “Bread Basket of Africa.” Now it cannot feed its own people
Inflation at 1,000% and climbing.
Zimbabwe has its challenges and one wonders how the average person copes.
That said, we cannot turn our back on these people and fellow Rotarians who are Caught – through no fault of their own – and ignore the problem and not offer to help.
The Rotary Club of Whitby had begun discussions and provided some support for the Howard Hospital because of our initial link with Dr Michael Silverman. This lead to the beginning of and Rotary project to support the Hospital.
RC of Whitby, Whitby Sunrise, Belleville and Scarborough have been successful in obtaining MATCHING GRANT and CRCID Funding for $50,000 US.
Supplying AIDS Tests and Lab Equipment for AIDS Clinic. (Money kept in Canada)
Using Partnership – Rotary- Ve’ahavta and Salvation Army found a way to get product to hospital.
Using the Partnership we have been successful in getting our goods through to the people who need it. Many doubted this would be possible but we are in fact proving it can be done. You have to use each partner’s strengths to make this happen.
In March of 2006 Rotarians Ray Richardson and Anne Nurse-Richardson together with their two teenage sons made a trip to Zimbabwe to see this project.
Pictured are Ray (centre) with his two sons and the RC of Central Harare Partners - Don MacDonald (bottom Right) and Vanani and Mercy Nyangulu. We also had an opportunity to attend one of their club meetings where we found as many similarities as difference with our own club challenges.
After meeting our Rotarian Partners we visited the Howard Hospital. Pictured to right is the Monday morning Waiting Room.
Nurses are critical supporting 3 Doctors in a hospital that serves a catchment area of 250,000 people within about 150 km distance. This little hospital deliver about 2,800 babies in a year and they can hold about 60 patients.
The high delivery amount is because of two factors:
- Dr’s, Nurses and Midwife Team that work together very well.
- Maternity Huts where mothers stay until Due having walked there.
The Nurses and Midwives are trained at a school nearby and are critical in the process. Dr Thistle’s successes with cesarean births are well known in the area.
About 25% of women delivering are HIV infected and with special medication process they have reduced the mother to child transmission of aids to about 17%.
The hospital has a special TARAO Clinic (meaning hope in shana) for AIDS treatment. As well they are conducting studies on AIDS positive mothers who breast feed while on medication to determine the best options.
With our visit we were able to deliver Supplies (6 hockey bags) with items like Vitamins, Tubing/Needles etc for OR, test kits, diabetes strips and condoms. Much to everyone’s surprise we simple walked through Customs in HARARE untouched – many couldn’t believe it.
In addition to discussing our donation plans, delivery goods and touring the facilities there was time for some almost local culture.
FUN – Sunday Afternoon with a pick up ball hockey game. A Little Bit of Canada has carried over to Zimbabwe. Saturday and Sunday Afternoons – Dr Thistle gets out his “Daryl Sittler Stick” and heads out to the basketball court. There with many kids and a few adults they play ball hockey. Important for all to “have FUN” as it is one of life’s best natural medicines.
Another unique experience was found with patients of the Tarao Clinic - “Scottish Dancing” on Sunday mornings. This gets the patients beginning their AIDS medication treatment out to do something totally different and interacting vs. sitting in their room’s bored.
While at the Howard Hospital our Accommodation was a Guest Hut shown here. No hot showers but certainly suitable accommodation.
On a
These donations came from a wide range of people and we thank them all.
As a result of this Rotary Richardson Family Trip we returned to Canada CHANGED!
In summary we:
- Met GREAT Rotarians who while working in a Challenging Environment want to make a difference.
- Saw a Hospital and Staff MAKING a difference.
On our Return we saw some follow up action
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Support for AIDS Conference.
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Working in MG for 4x4 Isuzu coordinated by RC of Bellville.
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Need “Fuel Fund”- about $25,000 Canadian year.
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New hospital facility is nearly completed and the will need assistance- money and people to make the transition to new facility and get equipment for that facility.
Future projects are on the table as we look at the best way to help given the current circumstances politically - economically and work through them with our partners.
One item
has been tackled as we
THANK YOU to Rotary and it’s partners for this valuable work.
Rotary Club of Whitby www.rotarywhitby.org
Ray Richardson, President, 2005-2006
One part of the world…
How are you going to respond…trying to cope……with HIV/AIDS?