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8/14/2019 Tropical Clinics Newsletter October Issue
1/7
Welcome to the Summer 2008 issue of
TropicalClinics quarterly e-newsletter!
This issue focuses on the medical camp
clinic we just completed in Kakamega,Kenya. We invite you and your friends to
view more pictures of the medical clinic
at our website: www.tropicalclinics.org
TropicalClinics conducts its annual medi-
cal camp at Kakamega and treats over
400 schoolchildren with tinea capitis (a
fungal infection of the scalp and hair).
TropicalClinics continues to provide
medical care and health support to the
people of Kakamega and surrounding
communities through its annual medical
camp. In July 2008, local pediatricians,
eye specialists, clinicians, dentists, nurses
and social workersa total of 80 health
care professionalscame together to pro-
vide eye care, antifungal treatment, denta
care, HIV-testing and treatment, Malaria
diagnosis and treatment, and treatment
of pneumonia and flu-like symptoms to
nearly 1,800 people, a majority of them
women and children.
Most of the children were infected with
very contagious fungal infections, either
ringworm or dermatophytes. Tinea
capitis is predominantly a disease of
preadolescent children. It accounts for up
to 92.5% of dermatophytoses in children
younger than 10 years, explained our
lead pediatrician, Dr. Kirui Kennedy. The
disease is rare in adults, although
October 2008 www.tropicalclinics.org
IN THIS ISSUE:
TropicalClinics Facts 1
TropicalClinics AnnualMedical Camp:
Treating ChildrensFungal Infections 1
Treating ChildrensEye Infections 2
The Pediatric Corner 3
Dental Care 4
HIV Prevention and Testing
Adults in Need of Care 5
Farmaceuticals for theMedical Camp 5
Our Staff 6
Why TropicalClinics? 7
Fundraising andSpecial Thanks 7
Contact Us 7
About UsTropicalClinics mission is to provide vital, life-saving medi-
cal care to Kenyas impoverished rural areas. Eighty percent of
Kenyas population resides in rural areas, making the distribution
of health care services difficult. With the help of donors, Tropi-
calClinics will be Kenyas first state-of-the-art rural health center.
TropicalClinics provides comprehensive and integrated HIV care
for women and children, prevents pregnancy-related deaths and
fights malnutrition and fungal infections in children. Founded in
November 2004, it is eventually expected to treat 160 in-patients
and over 400 out-patients per day once it is in full operation. It
will also be the only referral center in rural Kenya with a state-of-
the-art diagnostic laboratory.
TropicalClinicsAnnual Medical CampTreating Childrens Fungal Infection
TropicalClinics is a 501 (c) 3 U.S. NonprofitOrganization and a Non-GovernmentalOrganization in Kenya. Our federal taxidentification number is 20-1862000. Continue on Pg. 2
|
8/14/2019 Tropical Clinics Newsletter October Issue
2/7October 2008 www.tropicalclinics.org |
occasionally, it may be found in elderly
patients. It is common in parts of Africa
and India, due to poor sanitary condi-
tions and personal hygiene.
The infection begins as a small papule, or
bump, around a hair shaft on the scalp,
eyebrows or forehead. Within a few
days, the red papule becomes paler and
scaly, and the hairs appear discolored,
lusterless and brittle. The lesion spreads,
forming numerous papules in a typical
ring form. Because it usually grows in acircle, it is called ringworm. Of course,
this is a misnomer, as there are no
worms involved in this fungal infection.
The infection may spread to other parts
of the body by scratching, or by con-
taminated clothing, combs, hairbrushes
or other household items. These items
may also spread the infection to other
household members or schoolmates. If
the ringworm infection is not treated,
it may become a permanent health
problem, even allowing other infectious
agents to enter the body through the
open wounds from this fungus. Young
patients with itchy scalp and patchy or
total hair loss are frequently ridiculed,isolated and bullied by classmates or
playmates. In some cases, the disease can
cause severe emotional impairment in
vulnerable children. We received hun-
dreds of school children presenting with
these ringworms. Thanks to the gener-
ous contribution of antifungal regimen
from MAP International, we administered
Griseofulvin (Fulvicin) and Fluconazole
(Diflucan) oral antifungal therapies to
these children. We did not expect to seeso many infected children and had only a
three-week supply of antifungal therapies
for each infected child. To completely
stop the invasion of the fungus, a 46
week treatment is required.
Can you imagine that only $15 per treat-
ment will help these children live with-
out this infection? With your continued
financial support, we expect to provide
an additional supply of antifungaltherapy, plus biweekly shampoo contain-
ing either povidone-iodine or selenium
sulfide to help eradicate this disease and
give these children the happy childhood
they deserve.
Treating Childrens Fungal Infectioncontinuation from Pg. 1
Look at these childrens infected heads!
TropicalClinics Facts
Founded November 2004 Rural Kenyas first state-of-art
health center
Planned as an independentnon-government health center
Estimated 160 in-patients,400 daily out-patients once infull operation
Focus: Integrated HIV-care;prevention of maternal mortalityin childbirth; prevention ofmalnutrition and opportunistic
infections in children Entrepreneurial vision: Empower
women as partners in their ownhealth care and communityserviceand opportunisticinfections in children
Motto: Treat Women, CreateHealthy Communities.
Treating Childrens
Eye Infections
TropicalClinics treats a severe case of a girlseye infection at its Annual Medical Camp.
Grace!
Grace presented to us with a lump/swell-
ing in the eyelid, blurred vision and
tenderness in the area of the swelling.
Continue on Pg. 3
8/14/2019 Tropical Clinics Newsletter October Issue
3/7October 2008 www.tropicalclinics.org |
Treating Childrens Eye Infectionscontinuation from Pg. 2
Here Dr. Kirui, a respected pediatrician,
examines Graces eye and immediately
consults with Dr. Kageha, an eye specialist,
on the correct form of intervention.
Thanks to MAP International, Kakamega
General Hospital and Siloamu Clinic, we
had eye drops, eye ointments and inject-
able eye antibiotic that saved Graces eye
and also kept its surface moist and pre-
vented itching.
The best management for this condition is
a surgical procedure to remove the excess
tissue from the lid margin. We plan to
raise the $600 that is required to help give
this girl her eyesight back.
Dr. Kirui could not believe the infection inGraces eye.
Dr. Kageha is shocked as well, but goes intoaction, first comforting Grace.
Here Dr. Kageha is applaying antibioticsin Graces eye
The Pediatric Corner at TropicalClinics Annual Medical Camp
Children are truly our future and if wecare for their well-being now, we are
investing in a betterand healthier
future, especially in this region of Kenya.
Malaria, fever, acute respiratory infections
and diarrhea were diagnosed as the
leading causes of illness for the children
attending our annual medical camp.
At the camp the children were examined
and treated with anti-malaria drugs,
antibiotics and multivitamins. It is clear
that due to a lack of basic healthcare and
hygiene education, the communities we
serve are suffering from many diseases
that could be easily managed through
training and support.
Brenda is checking this boys teeth beforeproviding dental care.
Our pediatricians treated over 400 kids!We are providing these kids with vitaminsand minerals
I am appealing to you to helpTropicalClinics offer medicaland holistic care to theserural women, their childrenand families; replacing sufferingand tears with smiles.
Margaret Kilibwa, Ph.D.Founder/Director, TropicalClinics
8/14/2019 Tropical Clinics Newsletter October Issue
4/7October 2008 www.tropicalclinics.org |
TropicalClinicsAnnual MedicalCamp ProvidesDental Care toNearly 500 People!
HIV Prevention and Testing
Dr. Kilibwa is counseling these boys onHIV prevention! They were eager to havethe HIV test.
While protecting rural Kenyan children
from deadly diseases is imperative,
protecting these health investments is
equally important. This is a vulnerable
period for rural Kenyas adolescents;
they face risks of early or unwanted
pregnancies and HIV infection.
AIDS has cut a wide swath through
Africa, and complicates virtually every
pre-existing health issue on the conti-
nent. So it was an absolute delight for
Dr. Kilibwa, founder and director of
TropicalClinics, to see a large group of
boys from a nearby high school flock to
our camp requesting HIV testing. Here
Dr. Kilibwa is chatting with the boys
and they confirm eagerness to know
their HIV status. The boys and girls
(not shown in the picture) also received
multivitamins.
Chronic diseases will soon become the
leading cause of health problems in
the developing world, and oral health
conditions are one of the most commonchronic disorders, according to the World
Health Organization. More than half of
the medical clinic attendees complained
of oral pain.
This may come as a surprise to our
readers but there is currently no access
to dental care whatsoever in some of
the remote villages of rural Kenya. We
brought dental services to this Kakamega
village where there are very few dentists.Ninety-five percent of the people we
examined had significant dental erosion
because of the presence of sand in their
food as a result of the arid environment
and lack of water for rinsing crops. We
were surprised by the extent of the oral
health crisis in this part of rural Kenya.
In an area where the population has little
access to sugary food and fermentable
carbohydrates, we didnt expect the
problem to be as bad as it is. We feel the
urgency to develop a sustainable oral
health program as an essential element to
improving the lives of these people.
Here our local healthcare workers provide
basic essential dental care, including
extractions and control of infections.
Additionally, the dental team educated
mothers about caring for the oral health of
their young children.
Our dentists supporting patientswith dental care.
Our lead dentist extracted many bad teethand counseled many patients on oral health.
8/14/2019 Tropical Clinics Newsletter October Issue
5/7October 2008 www.tropicalclinics.org |
Adults are in Great Need of CareIIn rural Western Kenya, access to health
care is almost non-existent for a large seg-
ment of the population. There are hospi-
tals in some of the larger towns and in the
cities, but the rural poor cannot get there
because their only means of transporta-
tion is walking, and the health care that
does exist is miles away.
A retired local physician volunteers his
services at the clinic, but without diagnostic
equipment, appropriate medicines or other
supplies, there is not much that he can do.
Eighty percent of Kenyas population
resides in rural areas, making the distri-
bution of health care services difficult.
Here our clinicians provide much-needed
screening and treatment to both young
and old.
Maternal Health:Womens health needs, nutrition and
medical care are widely neglected in rural
Kenya, and their access to care and support
for HIV/AIDS is delayed (if it arrives at all)
and limited. Family resources are nearly
always devoted to caring for the man.
Women, even when infected, are providing
all the care. They play crucial roles in both
the family and in Kenyan societys health
care overall.
Due to the socio-economic and cultural
status of women in Kenya, they are twice
as likely as men to become infected by
HIV/AIDS. Currently 60% of those living
with HIV/AIDS are women. Their access
to primary health care services is non-ex-
istent at best; prenatal care, vaccinations,
malaria and HIV screening have decreased
in many rural communities.
Women constitute nearly 67% of the total
population of Africa, and to achieve better
global health conditions, a focus on Afri-
can women is thus necessary. Community
participation in tropical disease health
initiatives largely falls on women in their
roles as first-line-household health provid-
ers and consumers.
One of our clinicians is attending to thiswoman patient; the focus of healthcare atTropicalClinics.
Pharmaceuticals for the Medical CampClinics in these rural areas lack many supplies such as stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, bandages, gowns,
disinfectants, thermometers and antibiotics which are readily available in any clinic or hospital in the United
States. The medical camp was stocked with medicines from MAP International and Johnson & Johnson,
Arise & Walk Ministries Foundation and Silomau Clinic in Kakamega, but a regular supply of pharmaceu-
ticals is desperately needed, along with funds to hire doctors and other health workers and to buy basic diag-nostic equipment.
Please visit wwww.tropicalclinics.org to make a contribution to
our initiative and help us make a difference for the people of
Kakamega and surrounding rural communities.
8/14/2019 Tropical Clinics Newsletter October Issue
6/7October 2008 www.tropicalclinics.org |
Our Staff
In a continent that experts say is in desper-
ate need of at least 1 million more health
care workers, full use of the existing work
force is crucial. Experienced nurses in
Kenya, mostly women, have an opportunity
to maximize their service to the commu-
nity. Training nurses to do jobs tradition-
ally done by doctors is part of our futureprogram to reach more patients and save
more lives. Here are pictures of the many
local clinicians, nurses and other healthcare
providers who participated in our medi-
cal camp. It was exhilarating to watch this
team of dedicated healthcare volunteers
work tirelessly through the day attending to
the plights of the many needy patients.
Also, we saw how the usually quiet local
church-building-turned-hospital becamealive with activity as thousands of would-
be patients queued up waiting for treat-
ment. It soon became apparent that we
needed to organize the droves of people who
wanted to see a doctor, so several persons
from the team developed a patient number-
ing system each morning. Lines formed at 5
am or earlier and the healthcare providers
began seeing patients as early as possible
and stayed until the last number was seen
as late as 6:30 pm (when it became too darkto see by the low wattage light bulbs).
Having well-trained, accessible community
health care workers has a massive impact.
It means that people dont have to walk for
three days to get medical careor do with-
out healthcare altogether.
Our clinicians.
Catering team
Our staff taking a break for lunch after a busymorning of caring for hundreds of patients.
Lead laboratory technician.
The pharmacy teamOn the day of the clinic, they worked tirelesslyfrom 6 am to 7 pm, dispensing medicine tohundreds of people
MembershipNewsTropicalClinics is a member of
the Global Health Council; www.
globalhealth.org, the worlds largest
membership alliance dedicated to saving
lives by improving health throughout
the world.
8/14/2019 Tropical Clinics Newsletter October Issue
7/7October 2008 www.tropicalclinics.org
Why TropicalClinics?Africas health report card is catastrophic:More than 90% of the worlds malaria cases
occur on the continent, and less than 60%
of the population in sub-Saharan Africa has
access to safe water. And despite only having
11% of the worlds population, Africa claims
60% of the people living with HIV. The
Kenyan government recently declared HIV/
AIDS a national disaster. In Kenya, more
than 70 people die of HIV-related illnesses a
day. In 1999, there were about 0.1 physiciansper 1,000 people and about 1.6 hospital beds
available per 1,000 people. Government
clinics do not exist in sufficient number to
be easily accessible to the rural poor, many
of whom have to walk an entire day to reach
them. The burden on the government is
great, often resulting in medical stock short-
ages that could mean a mother walking for
days only to find that the medicine her child
needs is out of stock.
TropicalClinics sees the enormous impact
that a medical clinic and education center
would have on the lives of people suffering
from the ravages of AIDS, the cycle of pov-
erty and the atrocities of the past. We are an-
swering the call by setting up a state-of-the-art diagnostic laboratory with equipment
including CT scans, ultrasound, HPV and
Pap smear screening kits, EKG machines,
X-ray machines and other medical supplies
that will also benefit five area hospitals. We
are literary racing against time to prevent
the transfer of HIV infection from mother
to child at birth; pregnancy-related deaths;
increasing cases of breast/cervical cancer
and diabetes in women; and vaccine-related
diseases and malnutrition in children start-
ing in Kakamega. We hope this will be to the
delight of the community.
Here we provided certificates of appreciation
to the physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers who volunteered their servicesto our medical clinic.
Fundraising
Partners Join TropicalClinicsto Help Reach Its Medical GoalsFurther advancing its mission to provide
quality care to rural communities in
Africa, TropicalClinics is teaming up with
Rotary Club, Medicine for Africa, and MAP
International to secure medical equipment,
medicine and supplies. Our first mission
is in Kakamega, but we hope to expand to
other areas, providing desperately needed
healthcare where we can.
TropicalClinics has set up a Paypal account
on its website at www.tropicalclinics.org
making it easier for individuals, groups
and others to donate to our cause. Contri-
butions are tax deductible.
TropicalClinics is conducting a capital
campaign to increase awareness of its
charitable organization and raise funds to
support the women and children of Africa.
Special Thanks:Frances Griffith, Judy
Snow, Rod Sharp, Jennifer Moreland,
friends of Richard Harrison and John
Campbell, Arise & Walk Ministries
Foundation, Carmen Lebron, Jona-
than and Julie Meyers, Freedom Plains
Presbyterian Church, LaGrangeville,
NY, Barbara Bosch and Caroline Sagasi
for donating to the medical camp and sup-porting women and childrens health in
rural Kenya.
VolunteersJudy Snow
Maria Johnson
Carmen Lebron
Olubayi Olubayi
Christopher Sickels
Contact Us!TropicalClinics Organization105 Park KnollPrinceton, NJ 08540
Mailing AddressP.O. Box 622Kingston, NJ 08528-0622
Telephone: 732-331-6859Fax: 732-438-5202E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.tropicalclinics.org
Design and creative (pro-bono):East House Creative Inc.www.east-house.com
Editor (pro-bono):James McCann