Mildmay Uganda: A COVID story
At the beginning of September 2021, the Reverend Canon John Stanley, who turned 90 on 20 May 2021, set himself the challenge of walking the ancient city walls of Chester 90 times by his birthday.
In September 2021, we shared the story of Reverend Canon John Stanley’s challenge. He completed it and raised over £2,900 for Mildmay Uganda Hospital to support its COVID‑19 vaccination efforts.
A month later, Mildmay Uganda Hospital reported progress: “We are grateful to Revd. Canon John Stanley for the generous donation towards saving lives. Your donation enabled us to serve over 4,000 people with COVID‑19‑related services. This was a great contribution to the fight against the COVID‑19 pandemic at the Hospital and the country at large. In addition, the Hospital appreciated the partnership with Mildmay UK and the UK public for supporting the fight against the COVID‑19 pandemic. Thank you, Rev. John Stanley.”
Dr Yvonne Karamagi
Director of Medical Services
Mildmay Uganda, 2021.
The donation helped equip the hospital to deliver vaccination and testing services. Supplies included disposable masks, gloves, aprons, reusable plastic outreach nurses’ uniforms, infrared thermometers, hand sanitiser, hand‑washing stations, an outreach tent, airtime and data, disposable sheets, auto‑disable syringes and needles, and 20 litres of liquid soap. Vaccines were provided free to the public by the Government of Uganda.
By November 2021, the hospital had vaccinated over 4,000 people; 3,000 received a first dose and 1,000 received a second, thanks specifically to this donation.
“During the second wave, we lost many young people without underlying conditions,” staff reflected. “They told us they wished they had been vaccinated.
That was heart‑breaking in scarcity. Demand exceeded available doses.”
Mildmay Uganda Hospital also provided healthcare to orphans and vulnerable children and specialist reproductive health services for adolescent mothers. Young mothers were enrolled in small‑scale income‑generating initiatives to support themselves and their babies. Mildmay UK sought donations annually to support Elizabeth Ward.
Case study:
Kiweewa Bruhan, aged 64 and a driver at Uganda Clays, benefitted from the national vaccination effort at Mildmay Uganda Hospital. “I wanted someone to see my story and say, ‘If he can do it at 64, I can too.’ I made up my mind and got my jab. I was fully vaccinated at Mildmay Uganda Hospital. My friends feared it was a death sentence, but I didn’t listen. I have not felt any side effects.”
We remained deeply grateful to Rev. Canon John Stanley for enabling Mildmay UK to support Mildmay Uganda’s vaccination programme through his generosity, and for the immediate benefits realised by their clients.
Thank you on behalf of the Mildmay family.
*November 2021