Contraception is Changing Lives
With our support, Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) – Uganda’s foremost reproductive health provider – is now delivering regular mobile outreach clinics to Nkuringo. As the RHU team makes it's journey in their recognisable truck, the impact is life changing.
Talks with the Community.
Before the arrival of the RHU team, Community-Leader Christopher is busy at work letting the community know what to expect and when and where the services will be available. “There is a lot of interest in the outreaches. People know contraception is important.”
Christopher feels it is his responsibility to encourage people to attend the mobile clinic and share their questions with the RHU team. “People trust the reproductive health services. They know they’ll get the services they need.”
The Long Walk.
Before the sun has risen, women start the long walk to the RHU Mobile Outreach Clinic. Some women walk as much as four hours. The journey is difficult, the Mobile Clinic is hosted a the local government health centre located at the top of a mountain. Women in the surrounding valleys will walk the long difficult journey uphill to access the services they need.
The Arrival.
Today, RHU is providing services at Nteko Health Centre 3. The staff who work at the clinic arrive early to register people for the services.
The RHU team arrive just after 10am ready to reinforce the local clinic with Clinician Stella and her three colleagues, and their toolboxes of essential medicines– a range of contraceptive methods, HIV test, and medicines.
Already there are over 100 people waiting for services. The RHU team get to work setting up in the clinic, ready to see patients.
Essential Healthcare.
Through the heat of the afternoon sun, the RHU team and local clinic staff work hard to attend to everyone who has come. While people wait, they can listen as a peer educator holds an information session on the types of contraception available and how to use a condom.
The RHU Staff provide a range of contraceptive choices like implants and injectables, counselling and information about a range of health services, and referrals for more complicated procedures. Although RHU primarily provides contraceptive services, many come seeking primary health services and counselling on a range of health issues.
Over four days, the RHU team serve over 800 people. The demand for primary healthcare services, including reproductive health, is high and many people arrive asking for information, services and counselling.
Life Changing.
For women in Nkuringo, contraception is life changing. Contraception gives them space to care for the children they have, to care for their own bodies and to work and build health lives. “We appreciate these outreaches so much,” one woman attending the clinic said. “I pray they keep doing these outreaches regularly.”
Montlida
At 35 years old, Montlida has had five children in seven years. She walked four hours to reach the clinic. Explaining her reasons for wanting an implant - a reliable and effective contraceptive method inserted under the skin of the arm, Montilda explains “I need time to work and care for my children.”
Molly
Molly is 28 years old. She’s had seven children in the past eight years. “I need family planning. I was having a baby every year and it was hard on my body.” She has an implant but is experiencing side effects. She has come to the clinic to be counselled by the RHU team on how to manage the side effects.
Fredianna
Fredianna is 32 years old. With four children, she and her husband are happy with their family size and agreed contraception was the right decision for them. Fredianna has come to the Mobile Outreach Clinic to get an implant.
Photo Credit:
All images taken by Paige Rogers | SafeHands | Uganda | 2023