I was at the Occupational Therapist’s office bright and early (8 am). His office is located in the hospital, where about 100 patients were lined up before I arrived waiting at the cashier’s desk to pay for their visit. Many looked like they had been waiting for a long time. It was a little cooler this morning, probably mid-80s. Today is the pediatric clinic so there were many children. Most mothers and children (some fathers there also) held listless children, sitting on the floor. Several children were referred from the clinic to the OT, so I observed his evaluations, they acted like typical children, crying when a stranger took them. Some had developmental delays so the therapist showed the parents exercises to assist with sitting or walking.
Sam, the OT, then gave me a tour of the hospital. The ICU had 4 patients-many had family members that sleep on the floor beside them. They had 15 children in the pediatric ward-the family stays with them at all times. It appears that any food received by the patient is brought by the family. They have 200 beds in the CHAD (Community Health and Development) Hospital, most are occupied.
He also took me to the leprosy ward-a separate group of old buildings around a central courtyard. Though their leprosy is not an active disease, they don’t stay with other patients. This ward was very primitive. They sleep on stainless steel gurneys…no mattresses, just the stainless steel bed. They did have something that looked like a placemat for their head. There were 6 women and 4 men there – separate quarters but the same compound. They have been trying to find something productive to do. In the past they have made candles to sell but for some reason that has stopped at the moment. They are going to start making doormats in an Irish Knot fashion from rope. The women were very chatty and wanted their pictures taken…and wanted to see on the camera afterwards.
One lady raised her saree to show me her prosthesis-below knee- the foot was carved from wood, and looked surprisingingly real. All of them had foot or hand ulcers that were being treated, some who still had fingers were playing cards.