A Journey Of Care

December 03, 2021

‘Magero’ is a 23 year old male diagnosed and living with Bipolar Affective Disorder. Due to transport/movement restrictions that were part of SOPs set by Ministry of Health in response to the spread of COVID-19, the family was faced with the challenge of accessing mental health services including medicines refill. As a result, Magero experienced a recurrence of symptoms that led to his re-admission to hospital. While at the convalescent ward (waiting for his relative to pick him up, but all in vain), the hospital was struck by COVID-19 infection among in-patients. The YouBelongHOME team in an emergency response to such a crisis in an overcrowded mental hospital, urgently prepared him for his return home. Along the return journey, the team was faced with a poor road network. And in the photo a team member is removing pieces of thorny tree branches that could deflate the tyres on the YouBelong van. After post-discharge visits and discussions, and connection to local community leaders and referral to a nearby health Centre, his family reported, ‘we are now informed on what to do and where to go just in case’.