1. Nasogastric feeding - Thanks to a plentiful supply of nasogastric tubes from HIPZ and some hands on training with the hospital staff it has been possible to commence NG feeding neonates and infants... NG feeding was previously not widely practised but has been used successfully 3 times this month in Makunduchi. This has prevented dehydration and hypoglycaemia in infants too unwell to breastfeed. All 3 babies have made a complete recovery and subsequently resumed breastfeeding.

2. We ran  two specialist ENT clinics in Makunduchi with Dr Chris Williams from Leicester. We saw 70 cases, including 30 schoolchildren, and were able to deal with most problems locally.  6 cases were referred on to Mnazi Moja Hospital for surgery. The service was well received by the community.

3. Every baby delivered in Makunduchi Hospital now receives a complimentary item of baby clothing.  We hope this will encourage deliveries within the hospital rather than at home so that any complications can be dealt with quickly thus reducing risk to mother and baby. Thank you medical student Rozzie Yoxall for the big delivery of clothing.

4. We have started screening all children attending the PHCU for malnutrition.  This month we admitted 8 children with severe acute malnutrition to our inpatient treatment center (ITC) all of which were successfully initiated on supplemental feeding with either milk or ready to use treatment food (RUTF). Next month we hope to establish an outpatient treatment centre (OTC) for malnutrition.

5. The supply of dressings from HIPZ is being well used in treating the many septic wounds and ulcers found in the tropics.

6. It has been a busy month for malaria thanks to the rain. We've had several cases of severe malaria in children but thanks to the hard work of the hospital staff all have made a complete recovery.

7. All  the hospital animals were blissfully happy until a psychiatric patient bit the head off a chicken...   ;)