Last Wednesday Andrew and I set of to Daredo hospital with Paul and Lucas, the 2 Fistula advocates who work for Maternity Africa at Selian Hospital in Arusha.
Andrew, Paul and Lucas
It was my first escapade into the countryside from Arusha, besides the drive to Moshi which I have done on a couple of occasions.
We were off to visit a hospital up in the mountains to see if it would be a good place for an obstetrician to be based for a few months later this year.
I have come to realise here in Africa ,I think we talk about roads like the British talk about the weather. For the first 25 km or so the road was slightly hair raising but then actually got quite good.
After about 3 and a half hours of driving we arrived on the most beautiful mountain side. There we found the hospital. Started by Sister of Mary Medical Missionary nuns years ago. There are still 3 nuns there to this day.
We met Dr Eliza the Chief Medical Officer .
What emerges as we walk around this little hospital, was truly a soul stirring experience. Andrew said he had never , even in 12 years in Ethiopia of private and government hospitals, seen a one as good as this one. Compared to what I had experienced last year this looked like paradise!
It was organised, clean and tidy. Everyone so friendly as we went around.
The nurses and midwives were busy about their work, touching their patients and interacting with them.A joy to my heart!
Midwife Valencia and a mum having an Induction
In the post natal ward there was even a Mum receiving blood, and she was having her vital signs monitored throughout the process. I know many would feel like that should be standard practice but sadly in many places it is not the case.This hospital has roughly 5000 births per year and last year they did not lose a single mother. I could not but help compare it to PCMH in Freetown where I was last year, who have a similar number of births but have maternal mortalities well into the double , if not triple figures annually.
I was so struck in the postnatal ward, every Mum had her baby. I remember the first time I went to PCMH in a ward of 17 mothers only 7 had baby's with them. So many lost!
A ward full of Mummies and babies
One could almost feel the peace as you walked around this place.
A lovely little neonatal unit where there are really trying so hard, but I have to say it would be the ideal place to develop a Kangaroo Mother Care Unit.
The neonatal unit
The hospital make their own intravenous fluids, so interesting, The theatres were spotless and very organised. Besides being a beautiful hospital the location is magnificent. Settled on the side of a tree covered mountain. Indeed a beautiful place to work.
As we left my heat felt so encouraged, truly this little hospital was the hope for Africa. It was fantastic and not a single white face in sight I am delighted to say. The Tanzanian staff were there doing it for their own people. What a fantastic sight it was!
Andrew, Paul and LucasIt was my first escapade into the countryside from Arusha, besides the drive to Moshi which I have done on a couple of occasions.
We were off to visit a hospital up in the mountains to see if it would be a good place for an obstetrician to be based for a few months later this year.
I have come to realise here in Africa ,I think we talk about roads like the British talk about the weather. For the first 25 km or so the road was slightly hair raising but then actually got quite good.
After about 3 and a half hours of driving we arrived on the most beautiful mountain side. There we found the hospital. Started by Sister of Mary Medical Missionary nuns years ago. There are still 3 nuns there to this day.
We met Dr Eliza the Chief Medical Officer .
What emerges as we walk around this little hospital, was truly a soul stirring experience. Andrew said he had never , even in 12 years in Ethiopia of private and government hospitals, seen a one as good as this one. Compared to what I had experienced last year this looked like paradise!
It was organised, clean and tidy. Everyone so friendly as we went around.
The nurses and midwives were busy about their work, touching their patients and interacting with them.A joy to my heart!
Midwife Valencia and a mum having an InductionIn the post natal ward there was even a Mum receiving blood, and she was having her vital signs monitored throughout the process. I know many would feel like that should be standard practice but sadly in many places it is not the case.This hospital has roughly 5000 births per year and last year they did not lose a single mother. I could not but help compare it to PCMH in Freetown where I was last year, who have a similar number of births but have maternal mortalities well into the double , if not triple figures annually.
I was so struck in the postnatal ward, every Mum had her baby. I remember the first time I went to PCMH in a ward of 17 mothers only 7 had baby's with them. So many lost!
A ward full of Mummies and babiesA lovely little neonatal unit where there are really trying so hard, but I have to say it would be the ideal place to develop a Kangaroo Mother Care Unit.
The neonatal unitThe hospital make their own intravenous fluids, so interesting, The theatres were spotless and very organised. Besides being a beautiful hospital the location is magnificent. Settled on the side of a tree covered mountain. Indeed a beautiful place to work.
A beautiful location
As we left my heat felt so encouraged, truly this little hospital was the hope for Africa. It was fantastic and not a single white face in sight I am delighted to say. The Tanzanian staff were there doing it for their own people. What a fantastic sight it was!
What an uplifting and encouraging story. Lovely to see you out there making a difference.
ReplyDeleteHi Katie! I emailed your dad in mid June and he said he would forward my email on to you and then gave me your blog address. I have read your blogs with enjoyment and interest and am commenting on this particular blog because I had to laugh when I read your comment "I have come to realise here in Africa ,I think we talk about roads like the British talk about the weather". My parents were missionaries in Nigeria (I was born on a Leprosy Mission Station) and whenever they talk about the years they spent there, the road conditions are always mentioned! Di Wares and Pat Gordan suggested I get in touch with you as our daughter, Sarah, has been accepted into the Netcare Nursing Program for next year. She is currently writing her matric. She will study for 4 years and then wants to nurse in the more un-developed countries in Africa. We were hoping that if you are willing you could maybe get together with Sarah the next time you are home and share some of your experiences with her. I would so appreciate it if you would get in touch with me. My email address is: noelene@omegaair.co.za
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
Noelene Curry