Antibiotic help for remote communities

In the UK, bacterial infections are often treated with a course of antibiotics. But when communities are remote geographically, or healthcare systems are weak, getting the right treatment can be much more difficult – even when there’s a serious infection. Helping to address the need for access to critical medicines in these situations, London-based International Health Partners (IHP) operates an Essential Health Packs scheme, enabling UK-based volunteers to take basic medicines to the places they are most needed.
Each pre-packed portable Essential Health Pack contains about 800 treatments, including antibiotics, painkillers, antifungals and treatments for chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure. All medicines are donated by IHP’s healthcare partners, and have remained in the UK supply chain – giving patients the confidence they can be trusted to be effective and safe.
In December 2018, Dr Moses Yaor, an ENT specialist, took out packs to Benue State in northern Nigeria, where he has family links. “Each time I go home, I see great need in my village,” explained Moses. “The Mbatyogh community in the Yonov district of Gwer is a rural farming community, with a population of between 15,000 and 20,000 people. The village does have a health centre, but Nigeria’s current situation means this facility isn’t as functional as it was previously.” He added: “Most people can’t afford proper medical care. When they’re ill, they resort to traditional herbalists.”
Moses searched for a way to source the medicines he needed for outreach. “I came across International Health Partners on the internet. When I knew I’d be able to access medicines [through Essential Health Packs] to support this work, I called medical colleagues in Nigeria and told them about my plan. It was really important to involve them, as this would mean we could ensure care could be continued appropriately.” Moses led a four-day medical outreach at the primary school he attended as a child. “We examined and treated people with common illnesses, did screening tests for diabetes, HIV, TB and hypertension, and gave talks on a range of topics including healthy diet, exercise and hand-washing. We also screened for ear disease.”
One young child at the school had a severe ear infection in the left ear. Using the pack, Moses initiated treatment with oral antibiotics and eardrops. “The Essential Health Packs made this work possible,” he said. “It would have been impossible for me to source medications individually to meet the needs of the number of people in the community who needed help. People can’t afford to buy essential medications, so there is a real need.”
International Health Partners welcomes enquiries from anyone interested in taking an Essential Health Pack for medical outreach. To find out more, contact Patrick Keys on 020 3735 5489 email healthpacks@ihpuk.org or visit https://www.ihpuk.org/essential-health-packs