Monthly Newsletter- May 2014
Healthcare Project in Korail Slum
Good Heal Trust is delighted and grateful to have completed a full year of its outreach program this month! Having gone through different hurdles and challenges, the team is proud of the achievements thus far. We eagerly look forward to completing many more years in addition to giving service to those who need it and are unable to acquire it.
This month service was given to a total of 667 patients, including regular clinic patients, advance consultancy services, follow-ups, referral cases and GHT Health camp patients. Nurses provided Over the counter (OTC) medicine and advice were given to 559 patients. GHT’s telemedicine services, consultancy through Skype was provided to 8 patients. The two doctors who provided their services through Skype were Dr. Aynul Kabir (from the Medicine Department) and Dr. Farhana Khatun (from the Gynecology Department).
As for referrals, the team arranged for a total of 9 patients to visit Gulshan Seba House for Advanced Consultancy. Among them 5 patients took service from Dr.Farhana Khatoon (Gynecology Department), 3 from Dr. Apurba Kumar Saha (General Medicine department), and 1 from Dr. Aynul Kabir (General Medicine Dept.) In addition to this, 50 patients were referred to different hospitals including BSMMU, Sorwardi Hospital, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (BMCH), Gulshan Seba House, Islamiya Eye Hospital, Society for Assistance to Hearing Impaired Children (SAHIC), BRAC and the GHT Camp.
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 840 people within the slum. Once again, the number for the FDGs continues to go up every month as the team looks to serve more and more of those who need it the most.
There were two camps held this month, one on the 11th of May and the second on the 28th of May. At the camp on the 11th, 41 patients were given service, 39 of whom were newly registered and 2 were previously registered. The two doctors who provided service at this camp were Dr.Farhana Khatoon [MBBS, FCPS Consultant- Gynecology) and Dr. Apurba Kumar Saha [Medical Officer, MBBS,PGT (Medicine),CCD (BIRDEM)]. On the 28th, 50 patients were given service, 44 were newly registered and 6 were from the previously registered. At this camp, Dr. Aynul Kabir [MBBS,CCD-BIRDEM Medicine) and Dr.Farhana Rahat[MBBS,FCPS (Pediatric)] provided their services.
In addition to the above, special healthcare screening was given for the following: Breast -oral -cervical cancer screening, blood sugar monitoring, health education and diet counseling, pregnancy tests were given for both adults and adolescents and special heath education sessions were held at the slum clinics.
We look forward to carry on with our programs. We would like for more people to join us in our works- as there are much too many people who need to be served and very few who are willing to serve. Irrelevant of the obstacles and hindrances, we are optimistic about the year ahead and pray that it will be one filled with many more lives helped, cared for and saved.
Nurses’ Skill Enhancement Program
The Nurses Skill Enhancement Program (NSEP) continues to be in session at both Birdem and National Heart Foundation (NHF). Nurses continue to learn about the topics which relate to their profession in addition to getting sessions on the English Language, Computers and Grooming.
Nursing Classes: Nursing sessions continue to be the core of the program. The nurses at Birdem are taught modules related to Diabetes and the healthcare which Birdem gives whereas National Heart Foundation nurses are taught modules pertaining to cardiology and services which are provided by their hospital.
The topics covered at Birdem include:
a) Anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system: Upper respiratory and lower respiratory tract. Controlling breathing and Mechanism of breathing.
b) Diagnostic test: Bronchoscope, thoracentesis, chest physiotherapy. Breathing sounds, its types and abnormalities within it.
c) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: its definition, recommendations, indications, procedures taken for adults, children and infants and complications involved with CPR.
d) Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases: obstructive and restrictive lung disease, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
e) Respiratory disorders: asthma, hypoxemia, pneumo-thorax, and atelectasis: their causes and medical and nursing management. Pleural effusion, pulmonary embolism, and oxygen therapy. TB, respiratory failure and lung cancer.
f) Anatomy and physiology of the Endocrine System. Hormones secreted by the glands and introduction class on D.M and its classification
Activities to note:
– Role Play Session was held on ‘therapeutic communication’ in order to help the nurses improve their communication in hospital scenarios.
– Pre-and post assessment slip test/quizzes were conducted during the classes.
– Practice nursing test was conducted on 05-May- 2014.
– A CPR demonstration was conducted on 31-May-2014
The topics covered at NHF include:
a) Congestive Heart failure: its definition, etiology and types i.e., right and left ventricular failure, clinical manifestations, medical, surgical and nursing interventions. In addition to cardiac glycosides action, side effects, contraindication and its anti-dote.
b) Aortic Dissection: its definition, etiology, pathophysiology, classification, complications, clinical manifestations, collaborative intervention and nursing care.
c) Varicose Veins and deep vein thrombosis: Dysarrythmias: Premature atrial Contraction, premature ventricular contraction, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and heart blocks and its causes.
d) Heart-lung machine Pump: its definition, indications and its mechanical structures and functions.
e) Cardio pulmonary resuscitation: its definition, recommendations, indications, procedures for adults, children and infants, complications of CPR.
Activities to note:
-Pre-and post assessment slip test/quizes were conducted during the classes.
– Practice nursing test conducted on 22-May-2014.
– A CPR demonstration was conducted on 29-May-2014
English Classes: The English sessions keep group works and student centered learning as a top priority. The nurses are encouraged to speak and overcome their weaknesses in spoken English through group presentations. Pair/group works are done in each class based on the topic being taught.
The topics covered in English Classes at Birdem and NHF this month include:
a) The definitions and usage of adjectives and adverbs. Nurses were also taught how to write brief descriptions using adjectives and adverbs.
b) Article on fitness: different types of fitness and the need for fit nurses (and people in general). Nurses were suggested different physical activities to stay fit.
c) The difference between ‘True or False’ and ‘Fact or Opinion’. Nurses were taught how to differentiate each of these.
d) The Zoo & Usage of ‘too many,’ ‘too much’ and ‘a lot of’ and the difference between ‘small’ and ‘little.’ The nurses looked through a wide range of zoo animals and their names in English in addition to the above grammar works.
e) History & Globalization. Both these terms were presented and discussed. Nurses were shown videos on how globalization is affecting every corner of the Earth. Its positives and negatives were looked at in addition to why history is essential and a part of us as individuals.
Computer Classes: Last month we had mentioned how we are aiming to see the nurses use computers to write assignments. This month, for their computer lesson, the nurses were assigned assignments in Nursing and English. Some of them were able to do the assignments while others are still getting there.
Grooming Classes: Grooming is an essential part of any profession; it is even more so for the Nursing Profession. This is because healthcare professionals must maintain many hygienic, ethical and moral values/matters as they are dealing with peoples’ lives.
The topics covered for grooming at Birdem and NHF include:
a) Telephone techniques and etiquettes
b) A Grooming Test was conducted to assess how much the students have taken in so far
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