Busia, Uganda
Beyond our daily operations lies the heart and health of the communities we call home.
At Burlcore Foundation, we believe our responsibility extends far beyond our daily operations; it lies in the heart and health of the communities we call home. Recently, our Community Development team conducted an on-the-ground assessment at Busia Health Centre IV, a vital government hospital serving a catchment area of over 63,000 people, including the Mawero community.
During our visit to the hospital's Maternity Ward, we witnessed firsthand the incredible dedication of the medical staff, but also the daily challenges they face due to chronic underfunding. The ward, which houses 35 beds for expectant and recovering mothers alongside 4 baby cots, struggles to maintain even the most basic supplies.
Two shortages stood out. Mosquito nets were frequently going missing from the ward, leaving mothers and newborns unprotected against malaria. And clean bedding was in such short supply that expectant mothers were routinely asked to bring their own sheets, alongside food and water, when they arrived to give birth.
A sustainable solution
Two practical upgrades, delivered together
We knew that simply dropping off donations would not solve the root of either problem. At Burlcore Foundation, we are committed to sustainable, long-lasting relief, so we paired new nets with the fixings to keep them in place, and paired the new linen with enough stock to rotate through washes without leaving beds bare.
In July 2026 we completed the immediate upgrade for the maternity ward. Burlcore Foundation funded and delivered 55 pairs of maternal bedsheets so mothers no longer need to bring their own linen when they arrive to give birth, and we installed permanent, anti-theft metal brackets and rods to securely fix 39 brand-new mosquito nets over every adult bed and baby cot in the ward.
Burlcore staff volunteered on-site to hand the bedsheets over to the ward team, and to measure, drill and install the net fixings themselves. This hands-on effort means both the linen stock and the nets stay exactly where they belong: with the mothers and infants who need them.
Looking ahead
Securing the maternity ward is just the first step in our ongoing commitment to the Busia community. As we continue to evaluate how best to support the region, we are also looking at future initiatives, including supplying life-saving formula to the hospital's heavily underfunded Malnutrition Clinic.
At Burlcore Foundation, we are proud to stand alongside the community, ensuring that every new life in Busia begins in a safe, warm, and protected environment.
