The Lifeline Clinic is very proud to have the support of HCL plc, Europe’s leading health and social care staffing company.
HCL’s donation has enabled us to buy a raft of essential pharmaceutical supplies, including paracetamol, antibiotics, oral rehydration salts and antacids. These medicines are vital to the healthcare of the hunter-gatherer San Bushman community in the remote region of Epukiro where the clinic is based. Their changing environment has subjected the San Bushmen to extreme poverty, unable to survive in their traditional lifestyle or to access medical care.
Laura Maynard Smith, Doctor at the Lifeline Clinic, commented; “The Clinic is extremely busy – we have seen nearly 400 patients since the beginning of January. Many of our patients suffer from similar complaints including respiratory infections, skin infections, and musculoskeletal pain. The money donated by HCL has enabled us to purchase essential medicines to treat the most commonly seen ailments. The donation has also helped to ensure that we have enough rehydration salts and intravenous fluids for severe diarrhoea cases in children following the reason rainy season. This is vital for the Bushman community which does not always have access to clean water. HCL’s support has enabled us to continue to provide important and much needed services such as these.”
Our patient stories
For many of our patients, once they have received their treatment and get better we don’t hear for them again, however here are the stories of two patients we have helped.
Bertha, a six year old girl came in with symptoms of a urinary tract infection, a severe fever and dehydration due to vomiting caused by her infection. Our Doctor was able to treat Bertha to stop her vomiting, give her some oral rehydration solution to rehydrate her and give her some liquid paracetamol to help bring down her fever. Following a course of antibiotics Bertha returned to the clinic a week later looking much healthier and with no further signs of the infection and fever.
Piet, a four year old boy, recently attended the clinic with extremely swollen and itchy feet. He had been playing in water after the recent rains, walking around bare foot on damp sand, and had picked up a worm infection called Cutaneous Larva Migrans. We treated Piet with anti-worming syrup, as well as making a paste out of the syrup with antiseptic cream to coat his feet, wrapping them in bandages. We also gave him some anti-histamine syrup to try and help to relieve the itching. Piet returned 10 days later with no further signs of worm infections in his feet.
Kate Bleasdale, Executive Vice Chairman of HCL, commented; “As a leading global staffing company, we at HCL wanted to play a small part in helping disadvantaged communities to gain access to healthcare provision, which we in the West take for granted. We feel privileged to learn that our donation is supporting the wonderful work the volunteers at the Lifeline Clinic do in meeting the medical needs of the local population in Epukiro.”
The work of Dr Laura Maynard Smith and Sister Anna Daries would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, volunteers and donors. There is a constant need for medicines and equipment to further improve the quality of life of the whole community.
If you are interested in volunteering at our Lifeline Clinic please 
email bookingsnaankuse@iway.na
email bookingsnaankuse@iway.naIf you would like to support the Lifeline Clinic through fundraising, making a donation or donating equipment please email donationsnaankuse@iway.na
It is fantastic to hear how well the Clinic is doing and I am so glad HCL have provided so much help, it makes me really happy. Miss being out there lots, and really do hope to visit again! Frankie.
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