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TASO Masaka
Background
TASO Masaka was the second centre to be established in November 1988 spearheaded by Mr. Kagimu Bikande Fred, Dr. Kalibbala Sam, Ms. Maureen Nakimera, Sr. Mbaziira Mary Janet and Mr. Abdul Kakande. It started in a small room in Masaka Hospital, Administration Block on a voluntary basis. Then later transferred to a blood bank room and eventually to the measles ward. As the number of clients increased, the hospital donated a piece of land within the premises plot 1- 19 Kigamba road. A building was constructed with donations from USAID, Government of Uganda, Redd Barna and King Baudoun Foundation.
Staffing:
The centre has a staffing of 87 personnel.
Just like the rest of the centres, TASO Masaka centre provides a range of services to clients from within a radius of 75 kilometers and beyond as far as districts of Rakai, Mpigi, Ssembabule, Kalangala and parts of Mbarara. Clinic days are twice in a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. Counseling home visits, medical home visits, outreach clinics, and community activities are carried out during other days. During the clinics, medical care (including management of common opportunistic infections and STDs) and counseling are provided.
The cumulative client registration is currently at over 26,000 clients. This has been attributed to an increase in services like:
- Increase in number of clients during outreach clinics (Kiwangala, Bukomansimbi).
- Increase in referrals from TASO Supported Communities i.e. from 8 Communities - 10 Communities.
- Increase in referrals from testing centres. On average 30 clients referred at every clinic.
- Awareness given by the Drama group.
- Introduction of Anti-Retroviral Therapy
Kirimya, Kyabbogo, Bwasandeku/Nabutongwa, Nakalembe, Kikenene, Kasebwera, Kamuzinda, Maleku, Kasaali, Kasaka.Volunteer training is in two new communities of Musuubiro and Kisiita.
Collaboration with other Agencies
There is collaboration with other Agencies; referrals come from Medical Research Council and AIDS Information Centre. There is sharing of information with Rakai Project, Medical Research Council, Kitovu Mobile, Villa Maria Community Based Health Care, MADDO (Masaka Diocese Development Organisation) Uganda Cares, Masaka Hospital and other privately run health facilities.
Challenges:
- Increasing client numbers viz-a-viz staffing levels and other limited resources.
- Increasing numbers of child clients calls for provision of specialized child services. About 10% of clients are children between the ages of 5 - 15 years.
- The very needy situations of most clients 54% are peasant farmers or small traders while about 33% are unemployed.
- Low literacy levels with about 55% having received primary school education and about 15% having no formal education.
Godfrey Muzaya
Centre Manager, TASO Masaka.
E-mail: tasomsk@yahoo.com
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