Pauline makes a difference

from the Chester Chronicle

by Rebecca Edwards, Chester Chronicle

FACED with hundreds of Ugandan children living in poverty with no medical care for AIDS and malaria, a retired GP set herself the challenge to build them an £85,000 medical centre.

Dr Pauline Hutchinson, who lives in Kingswood near Frodsham, set on the extraordinary journey four years ago after she was asked to investigate the dire health needs of youngsters in a remote region of the African country.

Dr Hutchinson, 57, retired as a GP in Runcorn 17 years ago and first visited Uganda in 2004 to advise on the health needs of local children, on behalf of the Just Care charity, of which she is a trustee, and which also supports two schools and an AIDS orphanage.

She said her observations, and those of other professionals, highlighted the “desperate lack of care and consequent high mortality rate among thousands of children in the area where half the population is under 14 years old and life expectancy is still just 46 years.”

She said: “The first thing I noticed was how many children there were and how few older people, all living in extreme poverty and miles away from the nearest hospital.

“Malaria is rife and AIDS and HIV is still a huge problem for these people.

“I felt angry as well as saddened that the world is not aware of the neglect of these children and that something had to be done for them.”

Four years later her commitment has paid off.

Dr Hutchinson almost single-handedly raised the funds to build, equip and staff the Wellspring Children’s Medical Centre which is now up and running in the village of Kamutuuza.

In September she will be guest of honour at the official opening ceremony of the facility, which offers accessible and affordable health care for hundreds of youngsters whose lives are threatened by widespread AIDS/HIV and malaria.

The medical centre – named after the Wellspring Christian Trust counselling service she and her consultant surgeon husband, Geoff, set up in Frodsham – boasts four clinic rooms; a doctors office; dressings room; a laboratory; a pharmacy and waiting areas.

It also has an observation ward, an acute malaria day-case ward and is also the base for an AIDS outreach service.

It also runs a child health screening and vaccination programme, health education and provides general health care and minor injuries facility.

All the staff are Ugandan and Dr Hutchinson said it was “really important they take ownership”.

Dr Hutchinson will continue managing the medical centre and raising funds to maintain it.

She said she was “extremely grateful” for “very generous” donations so far from family, friends and supporters, at home and overseas, including countless individuals, groups, schools and businesses. Most recently the Rotary Club of Frodsham and Helsby have donated £800.

However, at least another £40,000 is needed to meet future running and development costs to prove the medical centre’s sustainability and ensure the Ugandan Health Authority will adopt and assist in maintaining this vital new service.

Dr Hutchinson said: “I thought my first visit to Uganda would be a one-off, but I was so convinced of the needs of these children I couldn’t just walk away from the problem.

“There are huge problems all over the world, but I truly felt I had been led to Uganda and I didn’t want to go down the road of saying it’s an impossible task. It just takes time and perseverance.

Dr Hutchinson is happy to speak to community groups about the project, and individuals wishing to make a donation can also contact her on 07720 848 888