Direct Relief International (DRI) is an organization based in Santa Barbara, California in the United States. DRI provides KADERES with large shipments of supplies for dispensaries and health centers which include medication, advanced equipment and furniture.

KADERES works with the local government in Karagwe in order to ensure the best distribution possible. This makes the import process run smoothly without any complications from higher government authority. Through its partnership with KADERES, DRI supplied the biggest public health facility in Karagwe, the Nkwenda Health Center, with all its neccessities. To see photos of the Nkwenda Health Center and the items donated, please visit our photos page.

You can read more about the partnership between KADERES and DRI here and learn more about DRI's other work on their homepage, www.directrelief.com

NEW! 2009 marked the 10th year of the partnership between KADERES, the Karagwe District Council and Direct Relief International. In response, an evaluation report assessing the work of the three groups as partners has been created. The following is a small summary of the entire report so you can better understand the relationship between all parties and the involvement of each in the work we do. If you would like a copy of the entire report, e-mail us and we would be happy to send you a copy.  

Evaluation Summary:

Objective: The overall objective of the evaluation was to find out whether the purpose of collaboration has been achieved and understanding how partnership between Direct Relief International (DRI), KADERES and Karagwe District Council (KDC) has helped contribute to improving health services in Karagwe District Council.

Method used: Evaluation employed a qualitative descriptive design using interviews, observation, document review and SWOT analysis. Presentations of findings have been made in descriptive, charts and tables. It has used a team of 8 people from Karagwe District Health Management System and one consultant to conduct evaluation of DRI, KADERES and KDC collaboration and partnership from 14 randomly selected health facilities and corresponding respondents, patients and community learders.

Findings: The key findings indicate each party to the collaboration and partnership adhered to the memorrandum of understanding; collaboration have been good for the past 10 years; medical donations were mobilized from donors and received, transported and distributed to all health facilities and reached the patients and the community as end users; and the health care delivery have improved as evidenced by patients and the community satisfaction. However, under-utilization of some few equipments, inadequate health managemnt information and reporting system, and lack of capacity building component on use and maintenance of donated equipments are among few weakinesses found by this evaluation.

Conclusion: implementation of DRI, KADERES and KDC partnership and collaboration has been good. The objective of collaboration and partnership between DRI, KADERES and KDC for the past 10 years have greately been achieved. Medical donations (equipments, drugs and supplies) have had positive impact on health service delivery and reduction of burden of diseases in Karagwe District Council community. Health services have improved and there have been a reduction in both maternal, infant and underfives morbidity and mortality ratios.

Recommendation: DRI, KADERES and KDC should use the finding of this evaluation to strengthen the collaboration and partnership for another ten years and more. Very important is to establish a coordination committee modernize health information system and strengthen reporting system, and up-date health facility staffs skills on use and maintenance of medical equipment