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Tuesday, December 28, 2010 - Kasuku A Clinic

By Joanna Frausto

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In view of our pervious public announcements about re-opening Immeri Health Center 2, we were eager to promptly identify potential health candidates to work at the clinic. Fortunately, Angela and Susan, both medical professionals approached Patrick and expressed their interest in working with the Nkondo Community. Angela (22) and Susan (38) had previously worked as governmental health clinicians and possessed the skills and experience necessary to support Immeri Health Center 2. We cheered and clapped the customary, congratulatory "Asai Tazana" to express our joyous triumph! We were moving forward.

Patrick made a few phone calls and arranged for all of us to go to Iringa Health Center 2. In the interest of modeling the government Health Clinic We could not overemphasize the importance of fully understanding the services that are provided at a level 2 Health Center. Upon arrival, Geoffrey, the Clinician in charge whom we had met a few days prior, expressed his enthusiasm and gratitude as he put on a vibrant smile and welcomed the health team (Amanda, Shelly, Geoff, and me). He was quite trilled to know that he would be receiving a bit of assistance which would ease his workload, even if it was only for a few hours. Additionally, we believed we would be benefiting as well; it was a win-win situation.

Given the liberty to wander throughout the clinic, Amanda and I decided to further explore the rather archaic facility alongside Susan and Angela. Meanwhile, Geoffrey primed the clinic, as a number of patients sat outside waiting to be seen. Shelly and Geoff made several attempts to amuse the children by imparting rather humorous dancing. Once the clinic was ready, Geoffrey invited me to see patients! i was honored, yet uncertain of the resources available. There weren't many pharmacological options to offer the patients. The only drugs available were: Paracetamol, Albendazol, Trimethroprim + Sulfamethoxazol, Oral-Hydration Formula and Amoxicillin. Geoffrey briefly explained treatment protocols and followed to translate patients' chief complaints. Similar to my experience in Mexico, patients had a long list of nonspecific complaints (i.e. sore-throat, joint pain, back pain, tooth ache, loss of vision etc.); a phenomenon that is widely recognized in third world countries. Despite the limitations, I ventured in diagnosing and treating patients. Most of the patients presented dysentery accompanied by dehydration, others complained of upper respiratory tract infections; nothing too serious. However, some villagers thought otherwise as they anxiously expressed their concerns of being infected with Malaria. I also attended to other patients with basic first aid needs, such as suture removal form a young girl who had fallen form a tree about a week ago.

With the attempt to maximize our time and productivity, Amanda, Geoff, and Shelly engaged Susan and Angela in an HIV/AIDS Counseling and Family Planning training session; I continued to see patients. Amanda and Geoff posed as a married couple seeking health related advice. They presented various difficult scenarios and engaged the nurses in conversation on counseling strategies. They discussed very sensitive and seemingly taboo issues related to reproductive health: child molestation, early forced marriage, and marital rape. In addition, they discussed early 'sex education'; due to the intimate nature of a one room hut abode, children often witness their parents having sexual intercourse. As a result, they engage in 'practicing' at a young age - the effects are often devastating. The clinic exposure and counseling training was quite fruitful and we all learned more than we anticipated. Once again, we all declared triumph!