A Different Direction

Today was truly in the top 5 of one of the most joyous days I have ever had in my life. We did a mobile medical clinic, and it brought us so much joy to help those who need it most. As Jonathan accurately put it, we could literally do what we did today every single day for the rest of the month and be perfectly content.

The original plan was to ride in a book-mobile type of medical vehicle, complete with ultrasound machine and various lab tests. Unfortunately, after grand rounds this morning, we found out that because of the rains, the bumpy rural roads were going to be too much for the big vehicle, so we would have to travel by car, and with no equipment except our stethescopes and ourselves. We also brought some nurses, some limited medicines and a weighing machine, tables and chairs, and some water and snacks. 

Digressing for a second, we first went to Grand Rounds at the hospital before embarking on the Outreach trip.

Back to our adventure today--
The purpose of the Outreach Medical program is to reach people who live in the very rural areas of Northern Ghana (where we are), who either cannot afford or are physically unable to make a trip to the hospital. Hamsza, our HR friend and daily helper on this trip, explained that they try to do this project at least 1-2 times per month, and are usually so overwhelmed by the number of kids who come out, that they often have to turn people away at the end. On the upshot, they are also able to transport kids (or adults) who are too sick to come out of their homes and are often on the brink of death, straight to the hospital.

 Thought we'd be riding in this thing....

 But ended up in this AC SUV singing Red Red Wine with the driver's UB40 cd....

 Don't know where this guy was going, but thought he was funny- saw him on the way...

Today's Outreach project was to go to a rural public school and see the children there. In part, it was well-child checks, but in part, a chance to find those who truly needed medicine or further care at the hospital. 

When we got there, we were totally humbled by what we saw. There were 4 windowless, doorless rooms (pictured on the left in some photos below), where school is held. It was a very modest school.

Over 100 children (we saw about 200 today) came swarming around us, cheerful and excited that we had cameras. They all came around and hugged us and welcomed us in. 

Timid at first....

But then really excited to have their pictures taken!

Most of the kids live in huts like this, a 3-5 minute walk from school

 This line is only a tiny fraction of all the kids who came in. They are remarkably polite and not at all presumptuous. They waited their turn, did not demand anything, and children as young as 4 years old were answering questions about the duration of their fever, if they had diarrhea, etc. So amazing to see the older children care for their younger siblings, especially the boys carrying around their baby sisters.




We set up shop and got straight to work. We set up stations, for them to get weighed and triage'd, come to the doctors' station and get evaluated, then go to the medicine station and pick up what they needed and/or get transported to the hospital.

We had one antibiotic available, as well as multivitamins, oral rehydration therapy, paracetamol (Tylenol), and a couple of antifungals/antiparasitics and other odds and ends. What I saw the most of, besides 'normal' exams, was infected bug bites. Some were deep and full of infection, with flies swarming in them. Others were dried up and didn't seem to bother the kids at all.

This is what working under direct sun looks like after 3 hours

Bertina with one of her favorite patients

Jonathan consoling a little girl who stayed around him the whole day, then finally started crying.

I think what made me most happy was being able to help children who might have otherwise never received medical care. I think what made me most sad is the number of holes and tears most of them had in their clothing. That and the fact that the school lunch (which is provided by the government for some schools) is often the only meal they will get in a day.
As every day here, I learned an interesting cultural fact- some of the girls were wearing special beads on their hips. I asked a local nurse, who said the beads are said to be a good omen toward developing a nice womanly figure later in life. Really interesting!! I wish India had those.

It was such a fulfilling day and we were so happy when we left. Here are a couple of short videos - really cute! One is the children being reminded to brush their teeth every day and wash hands, etc. and the second is them singing the alphabet and other songs.