20th March 2017

Arnold (Tulika Tours) drove us up in the rather battered minibus to Lira with a great lunch stop. We dropped in to the Otinowaa orphanage just before Lira which was celebrating the opening of their medical facility, a great support to local services and Lira University as Bridget, a US qualified 

obstetrician, will be teaching there.  Gudrun Witt, a VSO midwife from Zimbabwe, joined us for supper at the Kanberra hotel and we set up the next day.

Early start and to Lira University (LU) up a long dirt track with buildings going up everywhere, to meet the Vice Chancellor with Anna Agnes, the Director of nursing. He was gracious, interested and very supportive of the PAL. Judy’s ideas around a breast screening service and Paul’s thoughts on links between BU and LU, buddying students at both universities, were well received and further work agreed.

Off to the new Institute of Public Health housed in wonderful building with ample teaching facilities including an IT studio, we saw the fibre optics digging in, and the new University Hospital going up behind as we walked there. Lunch of rice, meat and beans and off to Lira Hospital to show Paul around, renew acquaintances and set up networking with the medical and nursing staff. We enjoyed seeing a new born babe and the live chicken in the patient waiting area! 

Arnold took us to the bank to change money, then a beer, supper at the hotel and more planning.

Lots to think about and lots more to do.