Quick Questions… with Ramathan

Ramathan has been part of the team at The Rock Health Centre since 2022. It's time we introduced him to you..

"Greetings Ramathan, Thanks for agreeing to chat - we'd love to know more about what exactly you do ... "

When did you first start to think about a medical career?

That started when I was in Senior 2, at school in Jinja, as I was really interested in Biology, then I took Biology, Chemistry & Maths for A’ level. After that, I took a Diploma in Comprehensive Nursing in Masaka, in western Uganda. I never really thought about it until I started the nursing course and I became really interested in helping mothers through delivery. I started at The Rock just after the long, Covid lockdown in 2022 – a friend of mine told me that there was a vacancy here.

Please tell us a little about your work at The Rock

I’ve had a lot of good opportunity and experience here at The Rock. We deliver babies safely and take care of the mothers. It is so good that we can offer them Mama Kits for delivery which saves them having to buy them. Sometimes we need to refer a complicated or Caesarean case to Luwero; then we use the boda ambulance to take them.

Other treatments offered of course are ante/post-natal care, immunisation and some dental services. At WTA, during term time, of course we are mostly dealing with students all day – and even at night, but we also handle community cases at any time.  

What are the most common ailments or sicknesses?

Among the students, definitely malaria, (about 5 cases a day), then peptic ulcers are very common, plus flu/cough and headaches. If we think a student is dehydrated, we always offer them water to drink first. For malaria, ‘regular’ malaria is easy to treat, but severe malaria requires being putting on a drip, (it's potentially much more dangerous).

For community patients, once again, malaria is a big problem, followed by hypertension and diabetes among older people. Ulcers, often caused by diet, are also a common and sometimes serious complaint.

What are the challenges of being a midwife and clinical staff here?

If someone is extremely poor and for example, comes with no money to pay, we obviously treat the child first. Then we ask them to pay whatever they can – our prices really are affordable. But we do allow them to pay the full amount bit by bit, when they can; it's important to be compassionate.

At WTA, sometimes the students come for treatment and you have to assess if they are really sick – or if they're just trying to avoid a test or homework! On the whole we have a good relationship with the community, despite some challenges. But we know that the community leaders and residents value and appreciate the good service here. The Rock is a clean, hygienic place and it’s also affordable. We continue to focus on good communication and listening to people.

New staff member Maria & Ramathan

Another good thing is that our team has just expanded to include a new midwife, Maria whose arrival will really help with the workload and to share nightshifts. Sam is the Clinical Officer, Madam Annet is the Manager. In addition there is Joann, a qualified nurse (& former WTA student), and Milly, the Laboratory Technician.

Any plans for the future? Yes, in the future I'm thinking of taking a Bachelors in General Nursing.

Good to talk to you and thank you!