Ebola, Kent Brantly & INMED Grads In Action
Wednesday, July 30th, 2014 |
Today the world is following the status of Kent Brantly, American physician who contracted Ebola virus infection while serving at a mission hospital the nation of Liberia, West Africa. Brantly, photoed above in back row second from the right, participated in the 2013 INMED International Medicine & Public Health Intensive Hybrid Course held in Fort […]
Your Own Future In Africa – Angola Day 29
Sunday, July 27th, 2014 |
Today I’m thinking of all you back home as I pack for return to Kansas City. I am an extremely fortunate man be colleagues with the Angolans and to play a small part in their concerns. But I’m not the only one who is blessed. Many of you have interests and resources you too would […]
Prison Is Such A Joy – Angola Day 27
Friday, July 25th, 2014 |
“I tried to visit the prisoners, but the guards would never let me in.” Pastor Cassicula was panting with excitement an Steve Foster evaluated his malnutrition and dysentery. “But then I was arrested for leading a church and imprisoned at the jail where I was trying so hard to go!” The year was 1984 and […]
A Daniel For Today – Angola Day 25
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014 |
In the 1990s I moved to the war besieged city of Huambo, in central Angola, to assist churches in starting up a health ministry. My Angolan counterpart was Cesário Sapolo, pictured here in front of the house where I lived. Cesário distinguished himself as a model human: intelligent, social, and devoted to his family and […]
Two Week Follow Up – Angola Day 23
Monday, July 21st, 2014 |
Back on July 6 I introduced Feliciano, struck by a truck and left with an open, dislocated elbow joint filled with dirt and gravel. Please see “Trauma & Hope – Angola Day 7” and the original photo of his injury below. Since that day, Feliciano has been receiving the antibiotic ceftriaxone and, more importantly, bravely […]
Hope Present And Future – Angola Day 21
Saturday, July 19th, 2014 |
Steve Foster, left, has lived and served in Angola since 1978. A fully Board Certified Canadian surgeon, Foster and his classy wife Peggy over the last thirty-six years raised four children, save thousands from early death, and continue to inspire tomorrow’s healthcare personnel in this stark nation. Steve Foster was my mentor at Kalukembe Hospital […]
On Backup For Hell – Angola Day 19
Thursday, July 17th, 2014 |
On call for emergencies one evening, I cared for a elderly man with acute bleeding into his bladder. This caused obstruction of urine outflow, a huge bladder, and extreme pain. Simply placing a Foley catheter thru the penis or directly through the abdominal into the bladder was no solution, since the clots obstructed any hope […]
I’m In Stitches – Angola Day 17
Tuesday, July 15th, 2014 |
Here’s a story that will make you smile… Steve Foster, my mentor and Angola’s surgeon extraordinaire, came home tonight describing how that he saw a dehydrated child in clinic this morning. “Give him Ringer’s Lactate, one liter each 5 hours,” instructed Foster, in his deep, declarative voice. Ten hours latter Foster returned, and found […]
World’s Most Life Saving Drug – Angola Day 15
Sunday, July 13th, 2014 |
What is the world’s most life-saving drug? Penicillin against infections? Quinine against malaria? Furosemide against heart failure? Hydrochorothiazide against hypertension? My nomination I hold here in my hand. João Manuel has been coughing blood and loosing weight for six months. His chest X-ray shows white out of both lungs and he requires 5 liters of […]
Physician, Heal Yourself – Angola Day 13
Friday, July 11th, 2014 |
Yesterday I cared for three young people with rapid onset coma and hemiplegia. They were also all malaria test positive. Malaria can cause a plethora of neurological signs, and no confirmatory brain imaging is available out here. So I started IV quinine and today – miraculously- all three patients resolved their deficits and woke up. […]
