The expansion to Medcare’s Wellspring Children’s Medical Centre, which was funded by Manchester Airport’s fundraising efforts, has now been completed.
Construction work to improve the medical centre began in May last year following three years of airport fundraising. The extension doubles the size of the existing malaria ward – where 50% of the children coming into the clinic at present are malaria victims – and provides a physiotherapy unit, counselling room, a vocational training room, antenatal and postnatal clinics and a new, enlarged pharmacy and laboratory. 11,000 children a year are currently treated at the medical centre. It is expected that this figure will increase by 5,000 within the next 12-18 months.
The MAG team being presented with award by Dr Stuart Musisi, Head of the Masaka Health Directorate and chairman of the Wellspring Medical Committee.
Over £30,000 of brand new medical equipment, including hospital beds, wheelchairs, microscopes, mosquito nets, crutches and walking aids, were shipped over to Uganda and installed in the medical centre earlier this year.
Dr Pauline Hutchinson, Chair of Medcare, said: “Now the expansion project is completed, it gives us the ability to save the lives of an additional 5,000 children every year, as well as catering better for AIDS and HIV victims and those with disabilities. It is anticipated that with the additional services in the lab and clinics we can double the number of disability and HIV or AIDS cases we help with.”
A team of Manchester Airport staff and Medcare representatives travelled to Uganda to see the new extension and witness first-hand how it is already changing people’s lives.
Many of the children in Uganda are sponsored by various departments within Manchester Airport and some staff have had the opportunity of visiting the new facilities to observe first-hand how the children’s lives have been transformed thanks to the sponsorship.
Anna Russell, Head of Internal Communications at Manchester Airports Group (MAG), was one of those who went to Uganda to see the new extension and meet some of the people the charity helps. She said: “It was a fantastic experience for me to go and see the work that the charity is doing in Masaka. We are so grateful to all our employees and service partners who have supported our fund-raising over the past three years, and most of all to Pauline and the charity, who have channelled our expertise and the funds, to ensure they have maximum impact for the local children.
“The children now have somewhere to go and receive malaria treatment and you can see that the medical centre has become a real haven for the community, providing care and giving hope to the surrounding villagers.”
Manchester Airport is continuing to fundraise for Medcare and anyone who would like to help can either make a donation or sponsor a Ugandan child.
On September 19 2014, Manchester Airport Choir will play the Grange Theatre alongside a handful of other acts – including Bolton Chamber Choir and the Aditones. Tickets are £15 for adults and £9 for concessions. Book online at www.thegrangetheatre.com. For more information please visit: www.medcare.org.uk.