Reproductive and Mental Health Program
Globally, approximately 71 million people—or one out of every 108 people—are forcibly displaced. A majority of them live in countries with weak and under-resourced healthcare infrastructure.
The covid-19 pandemic has an outsized impact on women and girls and augments existing vulnerabilities. Inadequate access to even basic health services has long been a challenge for millions of forcibly displaced people.
Women and girls have unique healthcare needs that are crucial to their safety and well-being.
However, as governments, donors, and aid providers redirect most of their attention and resources toward covid-19 prevention and response, it is leaving women and girls unable to obtain other vital medical care to which they consistently need access.
Sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS)—which are already insufficiently available for many displaced individuals—are being interrupted or eliminated altogether.
In Uganda, like most African countries, mental healthcare was already weak before the pandemic.
The country has only 47 psychiatrists, most of whom are based in Kampala, for a population of 42 million minus the 1.4 refugees.
Mental health services are mainly concentrated around the capital city. Furthermore, mental health units at the regional referral hospitals have been turned into isolation and treatment centres for covid-19.
VFH Uganda supports communities and individuals to overcome anxiety and depression through Trauma-Informed Mindfulness Practices (MBSR). We conduct small group (5-10 people) mindfulness sessions over a period of 8-10 days with each session lasting 1-2 hours. Our team of trained clinical psychologists and counsellors provide ongoing individual support and referral to other service providers where needed.
We continue to meet the Menstrual needs of refugee girls even during school closures due to lockdown by providing Menstrual hygiene kits and period education while they are at home. This is accompanied with sexuality education for young girls
Finally, we have a program where we can support people with long-lasting diseases. Learn more about our Palliative care interventions here
