Comprehensive Care Clinic

Today I had the opportunity to help out at the Comprehensive Care Clinic (CCC). This clinic serves individuals with HIV and Tuberculosis. Mainly, this is clinic provides free medications to those with HIV and TB and follows up on routine concerns such as CD4 counts and treatment failures. As part of the CCC, community workers even visit the homes of patients to ensure medication compliance. The workers often go on daily runs and has a fleet of bicycles, motorcycles, and a vans to accomplish this task. Fortunately most people are very reliable and appreciative of the care that they receive.

The clinic sees an average of about 50 people a day. Most of the visits are very short and consists of checking vitals, refilling medications, and occassionally checking CD4. However, a few patients do require additional testing to evaluate for pneumonia or other infections. These tests and their medications are all provided at no additional costs to the patient and is funded by USAID (United States Agency for  International Development).

Clinicians will take bicycles and motorbikes into the community to find non-compliant patients. 

It was a good chance to see many different members of the community. Even some of the Tumutumu hospital employees frequent this clinic. The patients were all very friendly and grateful to be seen. Often times working in the emergency department is a thankless job... it is nice to be able to provide care to patrons who truly appreciate it.