For the last two weeks I have had the opportunity to help train 6 nurses in the country of Zambia. It was very interesting, and it was an honour to work with these seasoned nurses. The nurses work in remote villages running mobile clinics that take place in classrooms or sometimes even under trees. Mobile clinics provide medical care to people in communities that are that far away from hospitals. Two or three nurses will see up to 300 patients a day- can you imagine? We taught a two week course about HIV and childhood mortality- most childhood death are caused by preventable problems- dehydration, malnutrition, malaria, etc.
Most of our time was in the classroom, but we also got to take part in two mobile clinics. They were overwhelming! So many sick kids, women and babies. I got to spend some time with a midwife, and I learned so much from her (I would love to be a midwife some day). I was amazed by the simplicity of the instruments too- forget an electronic fetoscope! I was listening for the baby’s heart rate through a plastic tube- simple, effective and efficient- primary health care at its best.
One patient that I saw at the mobile clinic really broke my heart. She was a lovely little girl- 10 years old, although she looked much younger. She was too thin, had a rash and peeling skin, a cough and stomach problems. The nurse had her tested for HIV. She came back positive and it appeared that her disease was quite advanced. She was orphaned- her parents most likely dying of AIDS, and was living with her aunt and uncle. One of the nurses in our course, Helen, took special interest in the little girl. Helen will make sure that this little girl will get anti retroviral treatment, and that she will be visited twice a week by home based care. All I could do was pray for her.
It was good to see a home based care project in a different country (also part of Hands at Work). I was able to go out with a few of the volunteers and visit some patients and orphans. These volunteers are so inspiring. They have so little themselves, but they are going out into their own communities showing God’s love. They are dedicated. I am so glad that I have been able to meet them, and walk with them as they march on.
Most of our time was in the classroom, but we also got to take part in two mobile clinics. They were overwhelming! So many sick kids, women and babies. I got to spend some time with a midwife, and I learned so much from her (I would love to be a midwife some day). I was amazed by the simplicity of the instruments too- forget an electronic fetoscope! I was listening for the baby’s heart rate through a plastic tube- simple, effective and efficient- primary health care at its best.
One patient that I saw at the mobile clinic really broke my heart. She was a lovely little girl- 10 years old, although she looked much younger. She was too thin, had a rash and peeling skin, a cough and stomach problems. The nurse had her tested for HIV. She came back positive and it appeared that her disease was quite advanced. She was orphaned- her parents most likely dying of AIDS, and was living with her aunt and uncle. One of the nurses in our course, Helen, took special interest in the little girl. Helen will make sure that this little girl will get anti retroviral treatment, and that she will be visited twice a week by home based care. All I could do was pray for her.
It was good to see a home based care project in a different country (also part of Hands at Work). I was able to go out with a few of the volunteers and visit some patients and orphans. These volunteers are so inspiring. They have so little themselves, but they are going out into their own communities showing God’s love. They are dedicated. I am so glad that I have been able to meet them, and walk with them as they march on.
