Kumi Compassionate Fund

The Compassionate Fund was set up to support the very poor to access health care.

Many families in Teso struggle to pay for the costs of hospital treatment, particularly the vulnerable such as single mothers and the elderly. The fund is run by a capable social worker, Paul, who spends time on the wards getting to know the patients and identifying the most desperate cases.

The Compassionate Fund rarely, if ever, covers the full costs of the bills but Paul will spend time with the individuals working out what they can reasonably afford themselves and then the fund makes up the difference. At the moment TDT is running it at a cost of £1500 per quarter.

Photos show, from top to bottom, William Odongo, 5 years old, who fell and fractured his arm when playing. His family was supported by 100,000 UGX from the Compassionate Fund (£23). 

Evelyne Ihabu, 16 years old, who needed an emergency cesarean. Her costs were supported by 387,100 UGX (£87).

Emmanuel Donyu, 1 years old, who was treated for pneumonia at the hospital. His costs were supported by 111,000 UGX (£25) that his mother couldn’t afford.