Today was my last work day.I said goodbye to everyone and went around the hospitals and clinic I worked at during the past few weeks.It has been such a fantastic experience.I learned more in one month than in a few months of school.Coming here was the best thing I could do.
During the past few weeks I observed how life works here.Working in hospitals and maternity clinic and therefore being surrounded by women made me realize how much they work here.Much more than most men.They are basically responsible for everything: children, food, housework, work, taking care of the husband, cooking.....They often wake up around 4.30 or 5 am and don't go to bed until late.They are everywhere: at the market, on the road selling products or carrying water and other loads.Meanwhile most men can be seen sitting under a tree sleeping, hanging around or playing cards.Not all of them but many.
Women (and even some men) here are very much aware of the situation.Every time you talk to them they will tell you men are lazy.Women carry all the burden but men control the money.A pregnant woman at the clinic has anaemia and a very high blood pressure as a result of all the pressure put on her everyday as well as lack of proper food.In order to know her blood type lab tests must be made.Yet the husband won't give her money although.He spends money on baby clothe for the future child but won't make sure his wife or the baby are alright.
Gender-violence is also exists.Poverty leads several men to abuse their wives.Many men do not have jobs while women can more easily be traders at the market.Because men are desperate for money and job they turn against women.
Several husbands also work far away and only come back on the weekends.Sometimes this means that some of them also have a second family or girlfriend at their work place...which can increase the risk of HIV.
Not all men are like that here, but women do suffer a lot.The health risks are numerous.Today I saw a list of all the major cases women's clinics receive: besides minor diseases anemia, typhoid, abdominal pains, STDs, HIV and respiratory problems are the most common.Teenage pregnancy are also common as young women whose parents are poor find a boyfriend who will take of her.But many of the men are exactly looking for a wife yet and certainly do not want a child.
I heard so many stories....Women here are very much aware of the rights they have but do not enjoy.I admire them very much.
In a happier subject, his weekend I'm going to the Shai Hills and Aburi, in the Central Region.Monday: time to pack as I'm leaving on Tuesday morning....
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The trip to Cape Coast was amazing.It's nice to get out of the city.On Saturday we went to the rain forest.We walked on a canopy walk through the trees.Kind of scary. Then we went to beach where we had a bonfire and the next visited Cape Coast castle, which is where all the slaves were sent from.Obama made a speech here when he visited Ghana last year. There are posters of him and Ghanaian President Atta Mills all around the city.They love him over here.
This week I'll be visiting different hospitals and health projects. Yesterday and today I worked at a maternity and women's clinic which receives a lot of malaria, anaemia and HIV cases.They also try to push family planning, which Ghanaians are often very suspicious of.They believe it will harm them.Yet having 34 or more children often means that not all of them will receive education or they won't get enough food.
It's a small rural clinic yet they are very good at what they do and they have very straightforward views on what is good for the local community and for families.HIV tests can be done on the ground and HIV pre- and post- counseling is available as well.HIV-positive patients are then referred to bigger hospitals in Accra where they can get proper treatment.The midwives here try to encourage women to take the HIV test to make sure the child is going to be healthy.The head nurse also tries to go around the community to tell them about HIV risks as well as the need for family planning.She really tries her best because she knows the consequences.
As I already told you last week, working in hospitals is one of the best and saddest way to experience the poverty here in Ghana.yesterday I young pregnant women was rushed to the hospital with anaemia.She needs blood in order for her and the baby to be healthy yet she can't afford to buy blood.Maternal deaths can be frequent here so I hope someone will find a solution.
The clinic also often experiences power cuts.When this happens at night, they have to work by candlelight or car is driven is front of the window so the headlights can be used.It sounds pretty crazy but it's all they have right now.Everybody here tells me that poverty is getting worse.Doctors experience it every day as patience cannot pay for treatment.What also sometimes happens is that pregnant women cannot afford transport to the clinic.However, the community here has organized a taxi system that brings pregnant women to the hospitals.
This week I'll be visiting different hospitals and health projects. Yesterday and today I worked at a maternity and women's clinic which receives a lot of malaria, anaemia and HIV cases.They also try to push family planning, which Ghanaians are often very suspicious of.They believe it will harm them.Yet having 34 or more children often means that not all of them will receive education or they won't get enough food.
It's a small rural clinic yet they are very good at what they do and they have very straightforward views on what is good for the local community and for families.HIV tests can be done on the ground and HIV pre- and post- counseling is available as well.HIV-positive patients are then referred to bigger hospitals in Accra where they can get proper treatment.The midwives here try to encourage women to take the HIV test to make sure the child is going to be healthy.The head nurse also tries to go around the community to tell them about HIV risks as well as the need for family planning.She really tries her best because she knows the consequences.
As I already told you last week, working in hospitals is one of the best and saddest way to experience the poverty here in Ghana.yesterday I young pregnant women was rushed to the hospital with anaemia.She needs blood in order for her and the baby to be healthy yet she can't afford to buy blood.Maternal deaths can be frequent here so I hope someone will find a solution.
The clinic also often experiences power cuts.When this happens at night, they have to work by candlelight or car is driven is front of the window so the headlights can be used.It sounds pretty crazy but it's all they have right now.Everybody here tells me that poverty is getting worse.Doctors experience it every day as patience cannot pay for treatment.What also sometimes happens is that pregnant women cannot afford transport to the clinic.However, the community here has organized a taxi system that brings pregnant women to the hospitals.
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