Gift of Life Uganda

1. Gift of Life Uganda

2. What is Gift of Life?

6. Targets children with life threatening heart conditions • From under privileged homes where parents/guardians cannot afford to pay for the heart procedures. • Hence giving the children a Gift of Life • And a reason to smile.

8. What is Gift of Life • It is one of the Rotary Health Programs • Joint program with Rotary Clubs in Uganda, Uganda Heart Institute and Gift of Lift International. • Started in Uganda with Grace Agwaru, Rotary Club of Kampala and Manhasset Rotary Club USA

9. Gift of Life Programs • Medical interventions in UHI by Rotary started in 2007 • This has mainly been through VTT (Voluntary Training Team) • These are grants that are funded by the Rotary Foundation through application by Rotary Clubs in Uganda.

10. The major aims of the VTT is to support the development of a sustainable: • pediatric cardiac surgery, • catheterization • and aftercare program at UHI • So far there have been 15 VTT visits to UHI over the past 5 years coordinated by Rotary Clubs in Uganda • The latest one, in September 2014, was organized RC Kampala North.

13. The September 2014 VTT Team – RC Kampala North • The VTT were medical staff were from Riley Hospital USA • Rotary sponsored only their up keep, i.e accommodation, food, travel. • They performed the heart procedures free of charge as far as the child patients were concerned. • They are a highly qualified cardiac team that chose to spend their leave days at UHI to perform heart operations on underprivileged children. • We were shown one of the best Pediatric cardio surgeons in the world. He was on the team for free.

15. RC Kampala North Training Mission • Many Clubs visited the Child patients and their parents/minders and brought eats, drinks, clothes and prayer • Many were touched to see how Rotary gave a ‘Gift of Life” to these underprivileged children through helping to change their numbered days into countless days. • The Parents’/Guardian's appreciation was touching. Some undertook to spread the Rotary ‘gospel’ back home

18. The Rotarians were touched too at the power of power of Rotary Gift of Life Program. • The children were wonderful, some Rotarians were fighting the temptation to adopt.

22. The mission was very successful. • We lost one child, a three month old baby. • She probably would still be alive if she was operated on earlier. • As part of term of office I have received six requests for medical intervention for six children. • The inability to help such children immediately is heart breaking. • And the smile on the faces of those that receive a Gift of Lift is uplifting.

26. We were privileged watch as a child was carried off to receive her Gift of Life.

30. Sobering Information at Press Conference from Dr. Omagino – Director UHI • The facilities are available at the UHI. UHI has been named as the best equipped heart institute in the East Africa region. • BUT the funds required for the medical sundries are inadequate and therefore UHI cannot to perform heart operations at the installed capacity. • Currently UHI operates 10 patients a year • The capacity of UHI is for operating 150 children per year.  • GOU contributes Ushs 1 billion a year to UHI operational costs. Not all go to heart procedures. • Operation cost per patient is US$ 5,000.

31. Statements by Director UHI at Press Conference • The children under this program are under privileged and Rotary contribution is greatly appreciated by UHI • There are several children upcountry who can be recruited into the GOL program if money can be raised to fund the heart operations. • The one week VTT training is great but we should also look at longer and more comprehensive training like one year fellowship by Ugandan medical teams to UK or USA hospitals to understudy their colleagues. • Rotarians could  also take up sponsorship of some of these children e.g sponsor their education, etc so as to create bigger success stories.

32. Director’s Statement at Press Conference • Support of the children in the post operation period should include lifestyle support alongside nutrition support. • The capacity for research by UHI also needs to be developed by enabling UHI to carry out more and more open heart operations. • UHI has only one anesthetist yet developed countries have 30 and more in a major hospital.  • It is great to have the after care program as this is important to the post operation recovery period.

35. In a recent program broadcast by NTV, the Director of UHI told PAC that there was a backlog of 400 heart patients at the heart institute. • The major reason was the limited funds to purchase the medical sundries and the low number of health workers. • Parliament felt for them and promised to approve money, but we know that this may take a long times. • The Rotary Gift of Life program is supposed to have four missions a year to help alleviate this, but in recent times we have been having only one a year.

36. GOL Program for the Year • GOL Uganda Annual Plan was circulated to Presidents • Summary of Plans • Operation of at least 60 Children at UHI • Training Missions can manage maximum 10 children (targeting additional 2 sets of VTT this Rotary year. • After operation nutrition care • Get together party for the GOL Children hosted by Rotarians e.g at Christmas

37. Proposed Budget • UHI Budget for the year for operation of 60 children and 20 adults US$ 220,000 • Budget is for medical sundries • Expected GOL International contribution US$ 60,000. They are fundraising and will advise details. • GOU expected to top up. • Training Mission US$ 45,000 • After operation nutrition care @ US$ 500 per child per year • Christmas party get together to be hosted by Clubs budgets.

38. Funding of Budget • Rotary Clubs Chief fundraisers • Corporates and well wishers • Lead Clubs: • Application for Training grant - RC Kampala Ssese • RC Kasangati earmarked for second VTT grant. • Fundraising for Medical Sundries: • RC Kampala North • RC Kampala South • RC Kiwatule • RC Bukoto

39. Funding …/cont • The idea is to have more children operated even outside the training mission program. • After operation nutrition care: • Mobilization of all remaining 50 or so Rotary clubs in Uganda to contribute at least US$ 500 per child per year and/or adopt child and light up Rotary in its life. • Targeting participation of ALL Rotary Clubs in saving Ugandan Children’s lives. • Christmas Party: • Host Rotary clubs for the Xmas get together to be identified and all Rotary clubs will be invited to send representation to part.

42. Accountability of Funds • GOL Audit report 2009-2012 highlighted some mismanagement issues which have been of great concern to Rotary Clubs leadin to shunning of GOL activities. • New Bank account opened in Centenary Bank • Signatories GOL Chair and Treasure plus Country Chair and Country Fund Coordinator • One from each group must sign every cheque • Finance procedure has been created and adopted by Rotary GOL Committee. • Recommendations are being carried out to ensure that there is proper transparency and accountability so that we concentrate on our main task of saving lives.

43. Gift of Life Account • Account Name:  Rotary Uganda Gift of Life Programme • Account No: 3715600012 • Bank: Centenary • Branch: Corporate

44. Our main task is saving lives

45. As we ‘Light up Rotary’

46. The Four Way Test

47. Is it the truth? Yes it is true But just as the length of our fingers vary, So do our blessings on earth. The filthy pig sty that they call home Touched even the most hardened amongst us

48. The suffocating acrid stench Of decayed and decaying human waste That is their oxygen…. Bile rose to our throats And involuntary tears to our eyes. Is it fair to all concerned? Well…

49. I guess even our figures With their varying lengths Are too shy to talk of fairness. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Yes, We will build good will.

50. We will build schools, hospitals and communities And we will attack ignorance, disease and poverty. We will build better friendships And we hope to make the world Beneficial to all concerned.