Since January 2011, we have been quietly reviewing our program. We have made many exciting changes, built membership, and developed some innovative grassroots programs. over the next few weeks, we will try to bring you weekly updates of our work. We invite you to share our stories through our blog. Please feel free to make comments. We value your opinion.
FIELD VISIT TO THE HOME OF MS. FLORENCE NABISINDE
VILLAGE: NGOGOLO, KASAALA –LUWEERO DISTRICT
BY: DR. THADEUS MUTEBI AND ISANGA ANTHONY UCRF LUWEERO INTEGRATED PROGRAMME STAFF
DATE: 20/05/2011
Introduction
Dr. Thadeus Mutebi and Mr. Isanga Anthony both staff of UCRF Luweero Integrated programme made a field visit to the home of Ms. Florence Nabisinde a resident of Ngogolo village in Kasaala Parish, Luweero District. Ms. Florence is a widow aged 55years. Florence and her late husband gave birth to 10 children unfortunately one of them passed away. Florence lost her husband 4 years back leaving her in the care and support of 9 children. Apparently three children are in school and under the direct support and care of Florence and the rest are surviving on their own.
On an unfortunate note, presented with a swelling on the private parts (labium) which was suspicious of a Carcinoma (Cancer). A biopsy was taken off and it revealed Invasive squamous all carcinoma. Since then, this condition has affected her social, financial and emotional stability. Florence who used to earn her living through sewing clothes, can no longer afford to operate a sewing machine especially given the nature of the machine which is manually operated, a condition which not only gives her emotional stress but also despair in life.
The visit of UCRF Luweero Integrated programme staff to her home/house, brought a lot of hope, counsel, calm and a beginning of her emotional recovery.
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of the visit was:
· To give hope/counsel Florence.
· To encourage Florence to seek expertise treatment
· To know where Florence lives and establish her current state
ACTIVITIES:
During the visit, UCRF staff carried out the following activities:
· Counseled Ms. Florence Nabisinde who looked down cast and in despair
· Encouraged Ms. Florence not to act under stigma
· Advised Florence to seek prompt medical support, consultation and treatment
CHALLENGES
· The patient (Florence) is stigmatized
· The patient has no financial support to get further medical support/consultation
· The Patient is worried of her after month after the medical investigations above all, death given the contention that whoever contracts cancer has no much hope for recovery
CONCLUSION
Following our visit to the home of Florence, it is evident that the patient needs prompt and continued support from the UCRF Luweero Integrated Programme and other related organisation local and International as well as government. Besides, Florence is living under stigma not sure about her tomorrow, the future of her children and the entire family at large is at stake, a condition so difficult to comprehend. Besides, for her, Cancer is an incurable disease a condition which has kept her a disgruntled person. Florence and many patients living a similar condition deep in rural parts of Uganda often die a very miserable death!
In the picture is Dr. Thadeus Mutebi counseling Ms. Florence Nabisinde a Cancer Patient at her home in Ngogola, Kasaala Parish in Luweero.
In photo is Mr. Isanga Anthony a UCRF staff having a moment of sharing with Ms. Nabisinde Florence at her home on the 20th May 2011
