GLOBAL BRIGADES PATIENT REFERRAL PROGRAM
Global Brigades’ referral system promotes sustainability of Global Brigades programs by ensuring that our patients receive necessary care at all times. This program assists with necessary medical care that falls outside the scope of brigades and the referral program facilitates the entire process of administering this care. First, a Global Brigades physician identifies patients on brigades who need follow-up care. Second, depending on the nature and severity of the needed care, Global Brigades will either immediately take patients to the hospital or assist in the process of scheduling the necessary health services. Then the referral program raises funding for the care and ensures the patient is able to access it. Two full-time Global Brigades staff members are dedicated to facilitating this referral process.
There are two types of patients who typically utilize this system. One type is emergency patients, who are transported from the brigade site to the nearest clinic or hospital to receive immediate care. The second type is patients who require specialized care that does not require immediate attention. These patients are tracked and monitored with our electronic medical records system. Upon identification of these patients, Global Brigades staff works within local healthcare systems and with other NGOs to ensure referred patients receive the necessary specialized care.
There are two types of patients who typically utilize this system. One type is emergency patients, who are transported from the brigade site to the nearest clinic or hospital to receive immediate care. The second type is patients who require specialized care that does not require immediate attention. These patients are tracked and monitored with our electronic medical records system. Upon identification of these patients, Global Brigades staff works within local healthcare systems and with other NGOs to ensure referred patients receive the necessary specialized care.
OUR FIRST PATIENT
While in Ghana we met a young girl who qualifies as a patient for the patient referral program. Regina Abokomah is a beautiful Ghanaian young lady residing
in the community of Abuakwa in the Central Region on Ghana. Regina loves to go
to school, where her favorite subject is mathematics, play football and
clapping games with her friends. At home she also enjoys watching over her six
siblings and cooking, especially her favorite rice with beans dish (redred).
Regina’s complications started 6 months ago, at the age of
15, when her aunt discovered that she, in her fragile and malnourished state,
was pregnant. Regina continued to attend primary school until she noticed a
growing infection in her neck and a rash that surfaced her entire body. Self
conscious of her state, she discontinued her participation at the local primary
school. She then spent the past few months under the care of her grandmother at
her home in Abuakwa, along with 29 other family members. With an income of 30
Ghana Cedi a month (20 USD), which is sent by her mother who lives and works 5
hours away, Regina and her grandmother had little opportunity to seek medical
treatment at the nearby hospital. Their only option was to seek out the local
herbalist and wait it out. However, after some few weeks, her case deteriorated
and the family became anxious for her life.
It wasn’t until August 2011 that Regina was able to see a physician during the Dalhousie University and King's College Global Medical Brigade in Abuakwa. It was during the brigade that the doctor stressed the importance for her to seek treatment and referred her to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in the capital city of Accra. The doctors noted that her case was especially dangerous due to her stage in pregnancy.
Global Medical Brigades, their newly established Referral Program in Ghana, and the students of Dalhousie University and King’s College have taken Regina under their care. Global Brigades has spent many days traveling to and from Korle Bu hospital to diagnose and provide treatment for this young lady. Regina was in need of a lot of testing and medical attention including X-rays, tuberculosis mantoux exam, blood tests, and ultrasound examinations. After reviewing the examinations, the doctors concluded that Regina was TB and HIV free and diagnosed her with a collar stud abscess, extensive tinea corporis (ringworm), and anemia. With your assistance, we can help Regina treat her conditions, see her through a healthy full-term, and allow her to continue with her education to junior and senior high school, healthy.
Updates since the start of her treatment:
· Tested negative for TB and HIV
· Prescribed Cefuroxime – two courses for the abscess. Cannot drain the abscess because such low blood count and her physical state not good.
· Baby seems to be growing, scheduled for ultrasound in a week
· Cannot do anything for the tinea corporis because of pregnancy- just dressing with 1% iodine daily
· Taking vitamins and iron twice a day and is trying to eat more
· HIV test is to be done again in 5 months to make sure the test did was not taken during the window period and test false negative.
She looks healthier, more nourished and generally more happy (she actually smiles and laughs now)!! :)
If you would like to make a donation to Regina's care please contact [email protected]. We will also be having a Pacifico night on Oct.28th to raise money for Regina. Tickets are $10 and include cover and 2 drinks. You can contact any member of Dalhousie Global Brigades for tickets.
You can also make a donation to Regina's care at: http://www.empowered.org/Regina-Abokomah
It wasn’t until August 2011 that Regina was able to see a physician during the Dalhousie University and King's College Global Medical Brigade in Abuakwa. It was during the brigade that the doctor stressed the importance for her to seek treatment and referred her to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in the capital city of Accra. The doctors noted that her case was especially dangerous due to her stage in pregnancy.
Global Medical Brigades, their newly established Referral Program in Ghana, and the students of Dalhousie University and King’s College have taken Regina under their care. Global Brigades has spent many days traveling to and from Korle Bu hospital to diagnose and provide treatment for this young lady. Regina was in need of a lot of testing and medical attention including X-rays, tuberculosis mantoux exam, blood tests, and ultrasound examinations. After reviewing the examinations, the doctors concluded that Regina was TB and HIV free and diagnosed her with a collar stud abscess, extensive tinea corporis (ringworm), and anemia. With your assistance, we can help Regina treat her conditions, see her through a healthy full-term, and allow her to continue with her education to junior and senior high school, healthy.
Updates since the start of her treatment:
· Tested negative for TB and HIV
· Prescribed Cefuroxime – two courses for the abscess. Cannot drain the abscess because such low blood count and her physical state not good.
· Baby seems to be growing, scheduled for ultrasound in a week
· Cannot do anything for the tinea corporis because of pregnancy- just dressing with 1% iodine daily
· Taking vitamins and iron twice a day and is trying to eat more
· HIV test is to be done again in 5 months to make sure the test did was not taken during the window period and test false negative.
She looks healthier, more nourished and generally more happy (she actually smiles and laughs now)!! :)
If you would like to make a donation to Regina's care please contact [email protected]. We will also be having a Pacifico night on Oct.28th to raise money for Regina. Tickets are $10 and include cover and 2 drinks. You can contact any member of Dalhousie Global Brigades for tickets.
You can also make a donation to Regina's care at: http://www.empowered.org/Regina-Abokomah