Report on the treatment outcomes of medical treatment of orphaned and vulnerable children at SizaBantwana Children Benefit Organisations care centres
The report below highlights a very successful outcome of the treatment of Bilharzia and other ailments identified in the medical screening of 381 children that attends 4 of our care centres located in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
The treatment was made possible through the kind donations of the following people and organisations:
- Schistosomiasis Control Initiative; Imperial College of London – Prof. Alan Fenwick
- Clientèle Limited – Mr Gavin Soll
- Lowveld Toy Run – Renate Wagner
- Dr. Chakanga Banda
All but 11 of the 216 children identified were treated and most of them were reviewed or re-examined after treatment, as detailed in the attached report. 97% of the children were confirmed cured!
We deeply appreciate your contribution to make a difference in the lives of these very needy children.
Extract of report compiled by Dr C Banda: 31 July 2010
Report on Treatment outcomes of Medical Treatment for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children of SizaBantwana Children Benefit Organisation
Introduction
This treatment outcome report is based on the treatment of children with the ailments identified in an initial medical screening project carried out from Monday 15 February 2010 to Thursday 25 February 2010, at four of SizaBantwana’s Care Centres.
The treatment sessions were carried out from 23 April 2010 to 30 April 2010 and the aim was to treat all children with conditions or ailments that could safely be treated at the centres and refer those children with ailments that needed further investigation and / or specialised treatment and care.
A waiting period of over four weeks was allowed between the commencement of treatment and the re-examination so as to allow optimum medical response even in slow responding ailments such as pityriasis, Tinea Capitis and Seborrhoeic Dermatitis. The re-examination of the children commenced on 31 May 2010 to 27 July 2010. Retreatment to non-responding ailments and reinforcement of treatment in recalcitrant conditions were carried out during this period of re-examination.
The full treatment outcomes report gives results for each centre; with the summary report only reflecting a consolidated report on treatment outcomes for all centres combined. A further analysis of the results and the resultant recommendations is made in cognisance of the restraints encountered during the programme.
Consolidated figures for all four (4) care centres
| Medical Ailment | Initial No ofOVC’s | No of OVC’streated | Treatment outcome |
| Blood in urine | 112 | 110 | 74 cured, 2 repeat, 34 not reviewed |
| Blood and Leucocytes in urine | 36 | 34 | 29 cured, 3 repeat, 3 not reviewed |
| Urinary tract Infection | 13 | 12 | 4 cured, 8 not reviewed |
| UTI and Vaginitis | 3 | 2 | 1 cured, 1 not reviewed |
| Ear Wax | 11 | 9 | 7 cured, 2 not reviewed |
| Bacterial Dermatitis | 5 | 5 | 3 cured, 2 not reviewed |
| Seborrhoeic Dermatitis | 5 | 5 | 3 cured, 2 not reviewed |
| Pallor | 2 | 3 | 3 resolved |
| Tinea Capitis | 6 | 8 | 6 cured, 2 not reviewed |
| Pityriasis Versicolor | 8 | 9 | 5 cured, 4 not reviewed |
| Clinical Immunosuppression | 2 | 0 | 2 referred |
| Allergic Conjunctivitis | 4 | 4 | 2 cured, 2 not reviewed |
| Down Syndrome | 1 | 0 | 1 referred |
| Murmurs/Cardiac Clicks | 5 | 2 | 2 cured, 3 referred |
| Septic Sores on left foot | 1 | 1 | 1 cured |
| Otitis Externa | 2 | 2 | 2 cured |
| Otitis Media | 1 | 1 | 1 cured |
| Dental Caries | 1 | 0 | 1 referred |
| Mental Deficiency | 2 | 0 | 2 referred |
| Chronic Obstructive Airway Disease | 1 | 0 | 1 referred |
| Fissure-In-Ano | 1 | 0 | 1 referred |
| Acute Pharyngitis | 1 | 1 | 1 cured |
| Trichiasis | 1 | 1 | 1 not reviewed |
Number of children treated: 209
Number of children not reviewed: 61
209 – 61 = 148
Total number of children confirmed cured 144
Total repeat treatments required 5
Total number of children referred 11
Notes:
a) The high number of children who were not reviewed is due to poor attendance of children at Impilo Care Centre’s review clinics (52 of 61).
b) Bar the children not reviewed, the cure rates was 97%.
c) Due to the responsiveness to treatment a definitive diagnosis of bilharzia/schistosomiasis was made for blood in urine and bilharzia/schistosomiasis with secondary urinary cystitis for blood and leucocytes in urine.
Conclusion:
The overall objective of treating the majority of diseases that the children were presenting with, was achieved. All but 11 of the initial 216 children identified, were treated at their Care Centres. An additional 4 children were identified with ailments during treatment and treated accordingly.
Eleven (11) children were referred; of these none presented with feedback from the referred centre/hospital making it probable that none had been seen by the time of writing this report. Taking this lack of cohesive communication between the care centre and our local hospitals in consideration it is recommended that a concerted effort has to be made to create a functional relationship between SizaBantwana and the local hospitals in terms of health care. This would greatly benefit the children and ensure optimum health for the orphaned and vulnerable children within our communities especially those attending SizaBantwana Children Benefit Organisation’s projects.
A total of 148 children were reviewed / re-examined a minimum period of one month after treatment; 97% of these children were confirmed cured. 61 children did not present themselves for review after treatment, but a similar response could be assumed.
A baseline medical record was established for each child screened, which will enhance future medical care to the children.
Finally it is recommended that the children undergo a similar medical screening with follow up treatment as required, in six month’s time, i.e. around one year from the initial screening date.