Aburi Medical Camp Day 2

Day 2 of our camp in Aburi turned out to be a bit busier and less peaceful.  Yesterday, our patients seemed to have a bit more patience, but today there was more of an air of pushiness.  We think this was related to more people finding out about our presence and the general desperate need for any sort of help. Regardless, once people were seated in front of me, they were very gracious and thankful. 

As before, most of the complaints are related to musculoskeletal issues, heartburn, and of course malaria.  I saw less bacterial infections today and more viral illnesses. 

My translator for the past 2 days has been a young man named John Tanga.  He is a medical student who is volunteering with us as a way of completing his community health experience.  He has done a fantastic job and it has been fun trying to teach him.  Apparently part of their training is to learn basic medical care including nursing care at the local hospital.  He was recently assigned to Torroro hospital where his main job was to take blood pressures, do wound care, and do personal care for patients.  I can’t say that I ever did any basic patient care such as cleaning patients or making beds during my training!  I am glad to have the opportunity to work with him and I hope he continues on to serve the health of his community.

Tomorrow we finish up our day in Aburi by lunch time then pack up and head to Maundo about an hour away.  Should be a long, challenging day and internet access is unlikely for us for the next few days.  Onward and upward!

Results of excessive flouride in the well water.  How it gets in the well water I don't know. 

Some of the crowd waiting to be seen.

My translator John who is a medical student.

 Kids love having their pictures taken.  As soon as they see you are taking a picture of their friends they come running.  When I started this picture there were only a handful of kids!

I saw 60 patients in one day.

Some kiddos in Aburi.

John taking a blood pressure.  This gentleman was from a different ethnic group than most people in Aburi.  He didn't speak the local language, but luckily John was able to speak with him in Swahili.

A lady wearing her new glasses.  We gave out reading glasses and sunglasses.