SAACID.ORG
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TB Clinics
Somalia has one of the highest rates of TB in the
world. Beginning in 1994, SAACID was able to secure funds to
set up 2 TB clinics in Somalia - one in Mogadishu and the other in Adale, Middle Shabelle.
SAACD continues to sustain those 2 TB clinics. The World Health Organisation (WHO) continues to provide SAACID with free drugs for these clinics. The World Food Programme (WFP) continues to provide food for individuals who are suffering from TB (total weight is a significant factor in determining resistance and recovery rates); and from 2008, World Vision International began providing salary support for those clinics.
Before the war, the grounds on which the SAACID's Mogadishu dispensary was built was a TB clinic, but run and owned by the government. SAACID got permission from elders in the district to resume operations and a new structure was built. By 2003 termites had attacked the building and largely decimated it.
In 2005, after a long search for a donor, the Australian Government and DBG agreed to help pay for the rehabilitation of the site. The new building was completed in July 2006. See Mogadishu TB Clinic Rehabilitation Report 2006.
There is no doubt that the services provided are in high demand. At SAACID’s Mogadishu dispensary, every morning a minimum of 260 patients gather for their medication. As of 2005, of the 6 operating TB clinics in Mogadishu, SAACID’s clinic is the only one operating in the north of the city – covering an estimated population of 360,000 people. People come from villages up to 500 kilometres away to be treated, proving that such facilities are few and far between.
Hururo Agey first came to the clinic (before the rehabilitation) from Adaleyheh village; some 400 kilometres outside of Mogadishu. The first symptom she experienced was a strong burning sensation up the sides of her body. Her husband had her treated with recitations of the Holy Quran. Unsuccessful, he suggested she had the same disease that he had a short time before. He arranged for her weak body to be transported to the SAACID TB clinic in Mogadishu, where he had also received treatment. Hururo had cared for her husband when he was sick, near him while he was coughing blood, and washed his clothing, dirty from mucus and vomit.
Often the disease is spread from one family member to another. Hassan Omar, a relapse patient, was first diagnosed with TB 8 years ago; his son 3 years later. He comes from a village some 500 kilometres from Mogadishu, but has remained in the city since his first treatment. His family assisted him with travel and medication by giving him a camel to sell, and connecting him with distant relatives. Hassan used to herd livestock, but now he becomes easily tired and can’t walk long or work very hard.
Certainly the cases of Hassan and Hururo are not uncommon. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), TB has been declared an emergency in Africa:
SAACID TB patients have indicated a strong need for inpatient care, particularly because relative care-givers are highly at risk. When the TB is active the patient experiences high fever, along with coughing and vomiting blood. There is a strong phobia people have of TB and some relatives fear to help. In addition, some patients coming from far do not have relatives to stay with in the city, increasing their costs. Certainly the building’s limitations, and the lack of resources, keep the clinic from providing inpatient services and anything beyond basic TB treatment. Even with other donations of medicine from international agencies for a variety of health needs, local NGOs often do not have funds to run ‘add-on’ programming to fully utilise what could be offered.
Called by need and responsibility, and despite the risks and limited resources, SAACID is dedicated to serving patients under the current circumstances. As long as the Mogadishu clinic structure allows, Hururo, Hassan, and others unfortunate enough to contract this illness will continue to have a place to come for treatment. As with everything in Mogadishu today, security is a relative term – how much worse must life be in forgotten rural areas? Yet, SAACID only has inadequate funding for one urban (Mogadishu - 1.2 million people) and one rural TB clinic. The need is overwhelming and no real interest from the international community to alleviate the problem.
SAACD continues to sustain those 2 TB clinics. The World Health Organisation (WHO) continues to provide SAACID with free drugs for these clinics. The World Food Programme (WFP) continues to provide food for individuals who are suffering from TB (total weight is a significant factor in determining resistance and recovery rates); and from 2008, World Vision International began providing salary support for those clinics.
Before the war, the grounds on which the SAACID's Mogadishu dispensary was built was a TB clinic, but run and owned by the government. SAACID got permission from elders in the district to resume operations and a new structure was built. By 2003 termites had attacked the building and largely decimated it.
In 2005, after a long search for a donor, the Australian Government and DBG agreed to help pay for the rehabilitation of the site. The new building was completed in July 2006. See Mogadishu TB Clinic Rehabilitation Report 2006.
There is no doubt that the services provided are in high demand. At SAACID’s Mogadishu dispensary, every morning a minimum of 260 patients gather for their medication. As of 2005, of the 6 operating TB clinics in Mogadishu, SAACID’s clinic is the only one operating in the north of the city – covering an estimated population of 360,000 people. People come from villages up to 500 kilometres away to be treated, proving that such facilities are few and far between.
Hururo Agey first came to the clinic (before the rehabilitation) from Adaleyheh village; some 400 kilometres outside of Mogadishu. The first symptom she experienced was a strong burning sensation up the sides of her body. Her husband had her treated with recitations of the Holy Quran. Unsuccessful, he suggested she had the same disease that he had a short time before. He arranged for her weak body to be transported to the SAACID TB clinic in Mogadishu, where he had also received treatment. Hururo had cared for her husband when he was sick, near him while he was coughing blood, and washed his clothing, dirty from mucus and vomit.
Often the disease is spread from one family member to another. Hassan Omar, a relapse patient, was first diagnosed with TB 8 years ago; his son 3 years later. He comes from a village some 500 kilometres from Mogadishu, but has remained in the city since his first treatment. His family assisted him with travel and medication by giving him a camel to sell, and connecting him with distant relatives. Hassan used to herd livestock, but now he becomes easily tired and can’t walk long or work very hard.
Certainly the cases of Hassan and Hururo are not uncommon. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), TB has been declared an emergency in Africa:
- There are 1,500 TB deaths every day in Africa
- TB killed half a million African people last year, mostly young men and women in their most productive years
- Africa is the only continent where TB rates are increasing
- In just 15 years, overall rates have doubled; tripled in high HIV areas; and quadrupled in countries worst-affected by HIV and TB
SAACID TB patients have indicated a strong need for inpatient care, particularly because relative care-givers are highly at risk. When the TB is active the patient experiences high fever, along with coughing and vomiting blood. There is a strong phobia people have of TB and some relatives fear to help. In addition, some patients coming from far do not have relatives to stay with in the city, increasing their costs. Certainly the building’s limitations, and the lack of resources, keep the clinic from providing inpatient services and anything beyond basic TB treatment. Even with other donations of medicine from international agencies for a variety of health needs, local NGOs often do not have funds to run ‘add-on’ programming to fully utilise what could be offered.Called by need and responsibility, and despite the risks and limited resources, SAACID is dedicated to serving patients under the current circumstances. As long as the Mogadishu clinic structure allows, Hururo, Hassan, and others unfortunate enough to contract this illness will continue to have a place to come for treatment. As with everything in Mogadishu today, security is a relative term – how much worse must life be in forgotten rural areas? Yet, SAACID only has inadequate funding for one urban (Mogadishu - 1.2 million people) and one rural TB clinic. The need is overwhelming and no real interest from the international community to alleviate the problem.