| Monthly Newsletter- February 2014 |
Healthcare Project in Korail Slum
Good Heal Trust’s outreach team continues to work hard and reach out to even more patients with the passing of time. During the month of February, the trust gave medical treatment to a total of 563 patients! This is yet again great news great news for the team. A total of 493 patients were given service at the clinic and a total of 70 patients were given service at the camps.
A total of two medical camps were held this month. One medical camp was held on the 9th. Dr. Apurba Kumar Saha from the Department of General Medicine consulted 22 patients and Orthopedics Dr. Ahmed Suparno Bahar of BIHS consulted 11 patients. Another camp was held on the 26th. Dr. Abdullah Al Mamun from General Medicine Department of BIHS General Hospital consulted with 22 patients and Pediatric Consultant Dr. Farhana Rahat of BIHS consulted 15 Patients.
The diseases looked into for these camps were common communicable diseases such as- scabies, general weakness, allergy, constipation different body aches, vertigo, anorexia, fevers/cold, diarrhea, leucorrhoea, insomnia, anemia, tonsillitis, numbness, etc. Some non-communicable diseases looked into were hypertension, heart problems, diabetic mellitus, bronchial asthma, etc.
Similar to previous sessions, Good Heal Trust presented health awareness sessions twice a week on general health advice to patients of the Korail Slum. Advice pertaining to personal hygiene, family planning, common diseases amongst women, common diseases present in households and many other issues were discussed. Focus Group Discussions (FDGs) were held with 775 people within the slum. These sessions are especially helpful to the people living in the slum as most of them have not been educated regarding health care and its importance.
Good Heal Trust was also successful in referring a total of 75 patients to different clinics/hospitals, including: Bangladesh Institute of Health Science (BIHS), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Society for Assistance to Hearing Impaired Children (SAHIC), Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), The GHT Camp, Islamiya Eye Hospital and Birdem.
A few patients were referred to Gulshan Seba House for different health tests, including under Radiology: USG (ultrasound) of the whole abdomen, USG (ultrasound) of the lower abdomen, Chest X-Ray P/V view, Chest X-Ray B/V view, ECG. Pathology: Urine R/E, FB, ABF.
Through Skype sessions, Dr.Aynul Kabir gave service to 1 patient.
In the camps, a total of 33 new patients registered as Good Heal Trust‘s registered patients. Good Heal Trust provided a health card to each person. A mere Tk50 was charged as the card registration fee. Each card holder patient was also given a registration number. By showing this health card, a slum dweller can enjoy all the services offered by Good Heal Trust through its clinic. If a registered member needs any kind of pathological or radiology test, Good Heal Trust will provide the patient a 25 % discount. In addition, with the health card the patient receives a 50% discount on doctor visits.
For special health screening, the team screened 22 female patients for oral, breast and cervical cancer. In addition to this, there were 7 pregnancy tests done.
The trust continues to work hard, looking forward to serving the needy and continuing to make a difference in the lives of those who need it the most.
Nurses’ Skill Enhancement Program
Good Heal Trust has continued its NSEP program at Birdem and National Heart Foundation. The trust was excited and pleased to have Hong Kong BSR Mr. Marat Yu (Associate Partnership Development) visit the GHT office in order to launch a factory nursing program in Bangladesh. He was present during one of the English and Nursing lessons at Birdem hospital. We hope to hear back positive feedback in the upcoming days.
Nursing Classes: Nursing topics covered are extensive and pay close attention to both theoretical and practical sessions. The topics covered at National Heart Foundation during February include:
1) Nutrition- the factors affecting basal metabolic rate, importance of CHO, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals; the Food Guide Pyramid and nutritional nursing management. 2) Fluid and electrolyte balance: its definition, regulation of fluids in the body and the fluid requirements per kilogram of body weight at different ages. Body fluid compartments, regulation of body fluid compartments, fluid volume deficits, fluid volume excesses and its medical and nursing management. 3) I.V therapy: types of IV fluids, selection of peripheral IV sites and peripheral intravenous sites to avoid complications of I.V fluids. Clinical manifestation of IV and its management. 4) Acid-base imbalance: homeostasis, acid–base balance, buffer system of the blood, the relation between pH and ratio of buffer components, the imbalance of respiratory and metabolic acidosis, respiratory and metabolic alkalosis, compensatory mechanism, arterial blood gas analysis, the Allen test, etc. 5) Body Mechanics: its definition, the purpose, importance and principles of body mechanics. Practical sessions were held on: Moving the patient to one side of the bed, moving a helpless patient up in bed, turning a patient to one side of the bed, transferring a helpless patient from bed to stretcher, assisting the patient to sit on the side of the bed and assisting a patient from bed to chair or onto the wheel chair. 6) Wounds: its definitions, types and causes. Physiology of wound healing, factors affecting wound healing, wound Assessment and the basic principles of wound care and barriers to wound healing. Practical sessions were held on wound care, its immediate care, ideal dressings, complications of wounds and the importance of the TT shot.
The topics covered at Birdem during February include: 1) Comfort devices and the different patient positions during physical assessment and disease conditions. 2) Nutrition: Factors affecting nutritional status, intake of food, general assessment and types of diet. 3) Nutrition- Factors affecting the basal metabolic rate, importance of CHO, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. The Food Guide Pyramid. 4) Body Mechanics: its definition, purpose, importance and principles. Impact of immobility and inactivity. 5) Anatomy and Physiology of the Heart: Anatomy of the Heart, layers of the heart, chambers of the Heart, Circulation of Blood, Coronary circulation, Conducting system of the heart, Heart sounds etc.. 6) Breast cancer: Anatomy of the breast, its definition, causes and risk factors of breast cancer, clinical manifestations, screening, staging system, surgical therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, preventive measures, etc.
Practical sessions on moving patients were similar to the ones held at National Heart Foundation in addition to self breast assessment.
English Classes: The over-all English competency of nurses in Bangladesh is very low. This is not due only to the lackings found within the Education System of Bangladesh, but also due to not having the opportunity to speak English nor having enough exposure to the language itself. Therefore, the English classes are taken through innovative means, incorporating pair-work and group work along with individual work. Nurses not only learn from the teacher but teach each other through pair works and group works. Nurses are given the opportunity to speak and participate as much as possible. Activities help the nurses remain active within the classes. The topics covered during February at National Heart Foundation include: Childhood Memories and Differences/Similarities between hospitals and homes. Nurses travelled back memory land and thought over the importance of memories, in particular, childhood memories. Nurses were also taught how to use Venn-diagrams to note similarities and differences between hospitals and homes. The topics covered at Birdem include: Introducing oneself and why English? Giving is the best form of communication. Students were taught ways in which to introduce themselves and the different ways of saying ‘Hello’ in the English Language. An emotional video was shown on ‘Giving being the Best Form of Communication’ and nurses were encouraged to continue giving.
Computer Classes: In the 21st century, knowing how to use a computer has become practically a necessity opposed to an extra skill to acquire. Therefore, GHT has included computer classes within the program. To integrate the subjects and have the nurses use computers for Nursing and English classes, nurses are taught how to open their own email address and then given assignments to send to the instructors. Topics covered in the computer classes in February include: opening email accounts and internet browsing, an introduction to computers, their importance and their use in both the professional and personal life.
Grooming Classes: Grooming is an essential part of all professions. Especially for nurses in the subcontinent, more often than not, they are not given some of the most important and basic grooming lessons. Therefore, the trust has organized grooming sessions for the nurses, in hopes of boosting their confidence and over-all appearance and work ethics as life savers. The grooming topics covered in February include: Body language and its different aspects, time management and good patient communication. Nurses are given general advice on how to carry themselves and encouraged to be professional at all times.
If interested in working with us or if you simply want to find out more information about what we endeavor to bring to the over-all healthcare system, current/future projects and much more, Please visit us at: www.goodhealtrust.org