The beginning of week three is off to a great start. You have to experience the hospitality and genuineness of the Ghana Christian churches to understand how embraced I feel. These people have a commitment to the Lord and each other like I have rarely seen before. I attended Emmanuel Presbyterian Church on Sunday and was warmly welcomed and introduced to the congregation. It was good to be part of the cultural experience and also to worship alongside these wonderful people.
It was cholera clinic again today. I had two patients in isolation as they were more acutely ill than the other two suspected cholera patients in the ER. Stool cultures confirm cholera and they have to be sent to Sunyani for analysis so they take a while. In the meantime the two in isolation has the classic cholera diarrhea and we are treating them as positive. Isolation is a huge challenge here in a developing country hospital. There are very limited resources and it is virtually impossible to follow all recommended infection control practices. But we do our best and leave the rest to God to help us. What I notice most is the strict entry and exit of the cholera ward with the bleach soaked foot mats and the bleach water hand wash.
I am enjoying the developing relationships with the doctors and the nursing staff. They are a pleasure to work with. They teach me so much and I am able to share also with them.
I have been able to expand these relationships somewhat outside of work. I spent part of Sunday in the home of one of the ER nurses and we watched football. Also, I am making plans to take two of the ER staff out for Fufu very soon. I have not had it yet but it is all the rage in Ghana! I am looking forward to trying it. I must admit my culinary skills are lacking in this culture. Normally I am a very good cook but I am unfamiliar with the ingredients needed to make some of the featured items of Ghana. I am hoping to learn more!