In the UK we worry about infection control. But here in Malawi, HDU, the worry is luggages, firewood and pots!
Can you visualize relatives bringing in firewood and pots in order to cook for their sick relatives on the unit?!
Friday 28 June 2013
Important Notice to All Relatives!!
In the UK we worry about infection control. But here in Malawi, HDU, the worry is luggages, firewood and pots!
Can you visualize relatives bringing in firewood and pots in order to cook for their sick relatives on the unit?!
Work
Thursday 27 June 2013
HDU
My two days on medical HDU, a real learning curve of how lucky we are in europe/developed countries to have well-equipped health service.
As you can see from the photo. This is a real ward, HDU for that matter, poorly equipped. and in desparate need of TLC.
The environment is not welcoming, very depressive.
The staff on the wards are very knowledgeable but lack motivation. Motivation is a real problem, which I have my work cut out!!
Wards are often staffed with one nurse caring for 4 - 6 patients alone (night duty). On days staff are lucky to have another qualified staff member. Patient relatives act as porters, assisting the nurses with the care of their relative(s).
As you can see from the photo. This is a real ward, HDU for that matter, poorly equipped. and in desparate need of TLC.
The environment is not welcoming, very depressive.
The staff on the wards are very knowledgeable but lack motivation. Motivation is a real problem, which I have my work cut out!!
Wards are often staffed with one nurse caring for 4 - 6 patients alone (night duty). On days staff are lucky to have another qualified staff member. Patient relatives act as porters, assisting the nurses with the care of their relative(s).
Wednesday 26 June 2013
First day on the ward
Assigned to my ward for the next week.
Tuesday 25 June 2013
MALAWIAN POEM - "SILENCE"
I started my first week of orientation at the government hospital, Tuesday 17th June. My first shirft was on High Dependence Unit (HDU), a four bedded mix ward.
Wow! my heart sunk with disbelief, I was overwhelmed with deep sadness and pity as I walked around the hospital and on the unit. The thought that came to mind, "We have a great health service in europe and in the UK".
I have never witnessed so many desperate;y poor and helpless people all congregating in one area before. Nor have I encountered such level of poverty in my life. The scene around the hospital grounds and on the wards resembled a refugee camp. The level of poverty in Malawi is seriously overwhelming and pitiful.
As a result of of what I have so far seen I feel inspired to write a series of poems, this I believe will help me make sense of everything and world poverty.. This I am hoping will form part of my public speaking forum my my Malawian VSO experience on my return which I hope many of you will come and support.
Their eyes tells it all, the expressionless face, the sadness of the eyes the cry of the hear,
the helplessness and despair all etched on their faces.
It says , oh why, oh why am I in this state of sadness, why is my child sick; why is my mother ill; my father; my wife; my husband; my brother; my sister sick? Who will help us? They ask as they seat in silence. the hot sun of the day beating down on them, and cold winter air biting into their fragile skin by night.
In their anguish they call on the only being they know G-d. Help us, Oh G-d! is the cry that comes out of their hearts, the unspoken words of their mouths.
They seat in silence, at the mercy of G-d, silently praying for help and a breakthrough from their hardship.
A mother sitting on the cold concrete floor helplessly nursing her sick baby, while her husband looks on helpless unable to offer comfort to his wife and child. Both seat in silence, silently praying, save our baby, oh G-d.
A husband in despair, helpless watching his sick wife, thinking and silently praying. In his heart he speaks without utterance, "please, please G-d don't take my wife away from me, she's all I have. My love, my companion, my confidant, my everything, all that I have is in her. Daughters, standing by their father's side praying the same prayer for hope and peace for their mother and father to be reunited in this life.
A wife, standing by her husband's side also silently praying, ho G-d, who will care for me as old as I am should You take him from me?
The eyes are still motionless, filled with sadness and despair. Yet they carry on hoping and believing it will all be well again.
This poem is dedicated to the family of Judith who died in HDU on the 20th of June, aged 56, a mother, wife and grandmother to seven children.
"Man who is born of a woman is few in days and full of trouble" Job: 14: v1
Catherine Sekwalor
20th June 2013
Lilongwe, Malawi
Wow! my heart sunk with disbelief, I was overwhelmed with deep sadness and pity as I walked around the hospital and on the unit. The thought that came to mind, "We have a great health service in europe and in the UK".
I have never witnessed so many desperate;y poor and helpless people all congregating in one area before. Nor have I encountered such level of poverty in my life. The scene around the hospital grounds and on the wards resembled a refugee camp. The level of poverty in Malawi is seriously overwhelming and pitiful.
As a result of of what I have so far seen I feel inspired to write a series of poems, this I believe will help me make sense of everything and world poverty.. This I am hoping will form part of my public speaking forum my my Malawian VSO experience on my return which I hope many of you will come and support.
SILENCE:
My heart is overwhelmed with the sadness of men, women and children.Their eyes tells it all, the expressionless face, the sadness of the eyes the cry of the hear,
the helplessness and despair all etched on their faces.
It says , oh why, oh why am I in this state of sadness, why is my child sick; why is my mother ill; my father; my wife; my husband; my brother; my sister sick? Who will help us? They ask as they seat in silence. the hot sun of the day beating down on them, and cold winter air biting into their fragile skin by night.
In their anguish they call on the only being they know G-d. Help us, Oh G-d! is the cry that comes out of their hearts, the unspoken words of their mouths.
They seat in silence, at the mercy of G-d, silently praying for help and a breakthrough from their hardship.
A mother sitting on the cold concrete floor helplessly nursing her sick baby, while her husband looks on helpless unable to offer comfort to his wife and child. Both seat in silence, silently praying, save our baby, oh G-d.
A husband in despair, helpless watching his sick wife, thinking and silently praying. In his heart he speaks without utterance, "please, please G-d don't take my wife away from me, she's all I have. My love, my companion, my confidant, my everything, all that I have is in her. Daughters, standing by their father's side praying the same prayer for hope and peace for their mother and father to be reunited in this life.
A wife, standing by her husband's side also silently praying, ho G-d, who will care for me as old as I am should You take him from me?
The eyes are still motionless, filled with sadness and despair. Yet they carry on hoping and believing it will all be well again.
This poem is dedicated to the family of Judith who died in HDU on the 20th of June, aged 56, a mother, wife and grandmother to seven children.
"Man who is born of a woman is few in days and full of trouble" Job: 14: v1
Catherine Sekwalor
20th June 2013
Lilongwe, Malawi
Thursday 6 June 2013
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