Second Annual Eastern Africa Regional Psychotrauma Training Workshop: Butabika Hospital, Kampala, Uganda: July 19-25, 2009.
This year’s conference was a huge success. Entitled “Loss and Psychotrauma,” the conference focused on the impact of chronic sorrow caused by war and mass violence. Attendance nearly tripled from the 2008 conference, increasing from 84 to 216 African healthcare professionals. Fifty of the new attendees were medical students whose direct personal experience of loss and trauma made them eager participants. Twenty-one original academic papers from nine countries were presented, reporting the results of therapy rather than treatment planning as discussed last year. A spirit of collegiality nurtured lively, productive discussions. One highlight of the proceedings was the screening of “Speak Truth to Power,” the Robert F. Kennedy Center’s documentary on global human rights. Next year’s conference will convene in Nairobi, Kenya.

Kitgum Clinic Dedication July 24, 2009
Professional personnel from nine African countries, Belgium, Germany and the US Agency for International Development joined the Ugandan Minister of Health and Liz and Steve Alderman to dedicate PCAF’s newest clinic in Kitgum District. The clinic, sited on the grounds of Kitgum Hospital, is staffed by a psychiatric clinical officer, a psychiatric nurse, a counselor and a psychiatric social worker. They are supervised by specialists in adult and child psychiatry who actively participate in patient care. The opening of this clinic brings PCAF closer to its goal of scaling up mental healthcare for all war survivors in Uganda. Clinics are planned in Arua (2010) and Lira (2011).

Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates about our work and news of upcoming events. Click on the link to send us your email address. info@petercaldermanfoundation.org