about time I wrote again

Last week was spent with one of the Chilean Doctor volunteers here. It was encouraging for me as I am beginning to understand alot more of the language and found myself alot more able to follow the consultations.

We saw a wide range of things from tonsilitis to massive abdominal masses, from an acute pneumonia (possible other infectious disease that begins with C) to STDs. We saw a lot more children and the variety of the level of care that children get here is amazing. Some come in with parents that are doting and willing to do anything whereas others arrive with a neighbour who does not even know the childs name!

On Wednesday I helped out in the malnutrition clinic run by the Chilean organisation here. This gave me oppurtunity to a) play with cute kids and b) see what an impact education and a good diet makes to the lives of these children. I am quickly learning here that education is the cornerstone to helping empower people to take responsibility for their health.

I had a patient today who came in for a simple high blood pressure review. Sounds simple right but a lot of these patients have not taken their medication and it is very hard to convey the importance of this to them, so these reviews can be frustrating. However this lady had brought her blood pressure right down, had taken her meds that day and knew they where about to run out so had come to get refills before they did! HOORAY!! Education! It really is the simple things in life that make me smile!

Last week I also had the oppurtunity to visit one of the orphanages here. This was set up by a big organisation in Haiti called Partners in Health. The kids were so cute and had an amazing complex to grow up in. There was one mama to 3 children which is a fantastic ratio. They work very closely with our therapists to provide the best seating and care for those children that have special needs and have very often been abandoned by parents who simply cannot cope. Many people make their living by selling goods on the street and this becomes impossible if you have a disabled child who has to be watched 24/7 because they are disabled in some way.

This week the compound is buzzing as the therapists here undertake the crazy idea of running across Haiti. If you have not already checked out the link here it is for you http://www.facebook.com/pages/Run-Haiti-Ultra-marathon/208666245893739

Please take a minute to check it out and offer your support!

Plus here is the link to my next possible adventure - thanks to Sindhu

http://floatingdoctors.com/

TaTa for now!!