BACKGROUND

Dabani Hospital is located Busia District, seven kilometers from Busia Township, on the Kenya/Uganda border.  The hospital was founded by the Archdiocese of Tororo, Uganda, to provide a Christian approach to the healing apostolate in the Busia District.

Dabani Hospital is an 80-bed facility which provides medical care to the community at large.  It is the only major medical unit  in the Busia District which serves as a referral hospital.

The hospital contains an operating theatre and provides a full range of services, including maternity.  The more complicated cases are referred to St. Anthony's Hospital in Tororo.

ADMINISTRATION

Dabani's day-to-day activities are managed by the Medical Superintendent, the Matron, and the Heads of various hospital Departments, who form a committee answerable to the Board of Governors, which is chaired by the Archbishop of Tororo.
 STAFFING

1 doctor
2 clinical officers
  1 anesthetist
  2 registered nurses
  3 midwives
  3 enrolled nurses
  1 lab technician

Because of limited funds, the  hospital is understaffed, particularly  given the size of the facility and the patient load.  If the hospital is to render proper service to all patients, the staff must be increased.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The Out-Patient Department handles between 70 and 90 patients a day, most of which are children below 5 years of age and prenatal patients.  The department immunizes about 100 children each week.  With its incorporation of PHC, the hospital maintains 8 outreach centers, malarial control sanitation (immunization),   and a school health program.  In addition, it provides counseling services and home visits to HIV/AIDS patients and their families.

The In-Patient Department primary provides services to children and mothers.  The  hospital maintains a maternity center capable of providing caesarian sections and caring for ectopic pregnancies, as well as providing facilities for premature babies.   Because 40% of the children admitted are anaemic, this department performs  many blood transfusions.
 
SERVICES OFFERED

Curative:  out-patient and in-patient services.
Prenatal care
Immunization
Public health education
Blood transfusions
Laboratory services
Counseling services and home visits to HIV/AIDS patients and their families

URGENTLY REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

Ultrasound equipment
X-ray machines