In Bangladesh forty years ago one infant in five died during the first year. Today, only one infant in twenty dies. WHAT is the reason for this progress? You choose: A = Childhood vaccinations B = General economic development C = National health insurance D = Malaria prevention In his provocative book
What is the best formula for physical health? Actually, it depends upon whom you ask. People of some Asian cultures think that to be healthy they must eat snake, do Tai Chi, worship their ancestors, and never, ever give blood. Those from particular African cultures believe to be healthy they must eat a special
Last night a lady arrived at Ghana’s Baptist Medical Center in labor with twins. Our ultrasound quickly confirmed their heart rates were low, and a Caesarian was needed at once. A familiar scenario out here – and for the last 60 years it was the American doctor who performed these surgeries. But times are
One of the most disturbing elements of today’s ‘short-term medical missions’ phenomena is how individuals boast over the number of different countries where they have served. In truth, the learning curve is steep for each new healthcare facility. Commitment and consistency are necessary for one to learn the ropes and actually make a significant
Just a typical day at Ghana’s Baptist Medical Center: This morning I arrived find to 27 new patients admitted to the pediatrics ward by the nurses overnight! That’s 27 kids with malaria, sepsis, pneumonia, dehydration, all on top of chronic malnutrition. Next up, I rounded on 55 adults with snake bite, malaria, tuberculosis, bone
Pictured here with the children of Nilerigu, Ghana’s first orphanage. Attitudes toward orphans and care provided are quite culturally-dependent. In more traditional African communities to concept of an “orphan” was almost unheard of. All children have relatives, and if their parents died, they are naturally absorbed into the home of their kin. Only in
Walked into the pediatrics ward at Ghana’s Baptist Medical Center this morning, where I almost collapsed from the gravity of suffering and stench of human waste. I’m contemplating the questions that plague us all who engage healthcare among the extreme poor: How to best adopt care for low resource setting? How to function in
Making rounds at Baptist Medical Center in Ghana – up near the northern border with Burkina Faso. Stunningly, a quarter of our hospital patients are here for snake bit! Now is the rainy season, when farmers are scrambling out to their fields to plant corn and millet. And awaiting in the foliage is this
Questions the complacency with which some people approach “routine vaccinations.” Tonight, here in Ghana we are treating this child of four who is suffering from tetanus. His jaw is locked closed and any sudden noise causes his arms and legs to spasm violently. He has no puncture wound – most people with tetanus don’t
Here at Lubango Evangelical Medical Center it is the nurse practitioners that first attend to those coming for care. Paulo and Miguel are skilled, thoughtful, and can manage most individuals just fine. For me, they save the more complicated cases. Today, first, these included a four-year old girl who was growing normally until struck with