Today at Lubango Evangelical Medical Center immediately I was summoned to the ER, where I met little Nibombe. Coughing and less than alert, it was clear that Nibombe was suffering from pneumonia that encased his entire left lung. On closer inspection, I was also alarmed to find that his condition was complicated by heart failure. I […]
Straight after reception for the INMED Intensive Course students I left for the Kansas City International airport. Three days and some 14,000 miles later I landed back in Lubango, Angola, southern Africa. This nation is noteworthy for being home to the shortest life expectancy on earth – just 38 years! Though I lived in
The week of June 14-18 INMED hosted 69 participants for the 2010 International Public Health Intensive Course. These included nurses, public health specialists, pharmacists, physicians, and graduate students from the entire range of health fields. Remarkably, most participants had significant international experience caring for those most poor. Topics included Health Leadership, Building Organizational Capacity, Water &
On June 7 INMED welcomed 43 participant to the University of Missouri-Kansas City for the 2010 International Medicine Intensive Course. Many of these highly motivated individuals have significant experience in serving forgotten people in multiple nations, and came to further sharpen their skills. Participants included 13 physicians, 2 resident physicians, 7 medical students, 7 physician
Quick, what is the leading acute cause of death in world’s poorest nations? How about the second most common acute cause of death? The truth may startle you. Pneumonia as the leading acute cause of death is no surprise. But number two is coronary artery disease. No, not HIV, not diarrhea, not even malaria. It
Quick, what is the leading acute cause of death in world’s poorest nations? How about the second most common acute cause of death? The truth may startle you. Pneumonia as the leading acute cause of death is no surprise. But number two is coronary artery disease. No, not HIV, not tuberculosis, not even malaria. It
This weekend INMED enjoyed the company of some 450 students and practicing healthcare professionals at the 5th Exploring Medical Missions Conference. Complementing these participants were representatives of 35 sending organization – recruiting volunteers for service opportunities among the most neglected citizens of our world. I’m particularly touched by presence of some very many “heroes
This child lives in South America in a region home to sand flies and mosquitoes. For the last year he’s suffered from intermittent fevers, weight loss, and cough. His stools have been loose and foul smelling. His family reports that this lesion on his cheek ulcerates, heal spontaneously, and ulcerates again. From which disease of poverty
The doctor’s intentions were entirely good. Why else would an esteemed and skilled professor venture beyond the security of a North American medical center? He was brave and confident. What other mindset could compel him to enter the fray of Angola, Africa? His expectations were very high. Was it any surprise that he was
Here are some hints… This disease is considered a ‘classic’ in tropical medicine. It’s generally considered to be highly contagious, but really is not. Control of the disease has improved in recent years, though many people are still suffering from the permanent disability that it brings. Enough hints? This deformity is caused by leprosy.