Health Center Updates 2026

Progress and Challenges

Dear friends GuluHelp,

We cannot thank you enough for continuing to generously support GuluHelp Foundation. We are small but mighty in our consistent aid to St. Francis and St. Joseph Health Centers. With your help, we have provided salary support since 2008 to help keep these critical facilities opened to provide basic medical services to underserved populations.

Both centers have achieved significant progress, but they also continue to face challenges.

Below is a short summary of their reports to us.

St. Joseph Health Center in Minakulu has made remarkable progress in improving health care services and expanding access for surrounding communities. They have been upgraded to Health Center III status because of their progress. However, this upgrade and continued progress requires challenges related to additional staffing, medical equipment, infrastructure and emergency services.

Their future plans include:

1. The establishment of an ART (antiretroviral therapy) clinic to expand access to HIV/AIDS care, counseling, treatment and outreach services.

2. An imaging department

3. Support for recruitment and retention of additional personnel.

4. Additional equipment for emergency response and clinical care (minor surgery equipment, patient monitors, oxygen concentrators)

St. Francis Health Center II in Anaka has also made some progress, including accreditation as an ART center, a functional laboratory and the presentation of health education talks on malaria, pneumonia and tract infections. The center is easily reached by clients due to its location and it partners with Anaka General Hospital for referrals.

Many challenges remain for St. Francis:

1. The new site, which is critical to their progress, though it is approaching completion, remains unfinished and therefore not ready for use. The result of this is inadequate space in the current facility as well as poor infrastructure (leaking roof, poor ceilings, etc.)

2. No computer, making online drug orders difficult.

3. Equipment malfunctions (examination beds)

4. Sudden power outs

Recommendations include:

1. Completion of the new site. This could solve the issue of solar power

2. Replace broken equipment.

3. Purchase of a for the implementation of the digital health information systems and records management.

Stay tuned for an exciting special campaign for maximum impact.