Working at hospitals is one of the best ways to learn about some of the country's and the continent's problems.You see everything about malnutrition, poverty, HIV/AIDS, self-abortions, refugees etc..Doctors and patients take the time to talk about Ghana's problems or what they see everyday.Poverty and HIV seem to be the biggest problems and seem to be at the root of a lot of other issues.All week I experienced women being disappointed when they were told they were pregnant.Very few people also know about their HIV status and when you ask them about it they look a little taken aback if not appalled by the question.But then I saw several HIV tests being done here (it is encouraged if the woman is pregnant) and one turned out to be positive.Then comes the huge problem of what to do with the baby since mother-to-child transmission is possible.At the malnutrition ward last week, 2 year-old Lucy was infected through mother-child transmission.
Hospitals have little money, especially rural clinics.Today, one of the nurses had to take stitches
out but didn't have enough light.Because she didn't have anything else, she simply took her cellphone out and asked the patient to hold it and simply used the phone's light.Somehow it was both funny and sad.They also safe everything they can.Not needles obviously but band aid etc.
Today I met I Liberian refugee who is now a midwife at the maternity clinic.She earns very little.Her husband was killed during the war so she and her children fled to Ghana.She told me she was making dinner when the soldiers attacked her family.They killed the husband and threw
boiling water on her 1 year old son.He survived but is obviously badly scarred.Now she has a job here but still the money is barely enough (50 Ghana Cedis, which pays for rent and some food, though hardly if you have children.Rent is usually 30 Cedis for a 2 room shack.Transport can be expensive for them and few people can afford a car).All the Liberian refugees here are trying to get to North America and Europe.One of the nurses actually presented me to her son and she really wants me to be his wife.
You also learn about beliefs and traditions, including witchcraft (which quite a few people still belief in. I've seen a couple of so-called witch catchers).Religion plays a HUGE role here.Every morning, when hospitals open, all patients and staff pray together.At least three times a week, there is a church service on the main square.People dance and sing until 10 pm.It is frowned upon not to go to church on Sundays.
This weekend I'm going to Cape Coast and Kankum National Park.It's always nice to get out.Work is fantastic but it's not always easy.I also can't believe I only have ten days left.The first week was slow because you get adjusted to everything but the last two weeks have gone by so fast.Now I do things on my own, have a morning run through the countryside, go to the market.It's a small community here so a lot of people now us obrunis.Now whenever I go for a walk or to the market people wave because they know me not just because I'm white.
Oh and the food here is very good.Heavy for good.You need a lot of energy to get through the very hot days.I don't know what cold is anymore.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Eventful few days
I'm back from Kumasi.Two volunteers and I spent the weekend in this old Ashanti city, which is now Ghana's second biggest city.It's more cultural than Accra as Ashanti people are very proud of their history and really try to preserve it.We visited the Ashanti king's palace (yes, they still have a king) as well the Kumasi market, one of the biggest markets in West Africa.It's very busy and everything is sold here.We also visited the Ghana Cultural Center where everything from drums, statues and paintings can be bought.
The ride to Kumasi was beautiful even though buses are uncomfortable, crowded and hot.Imagine lush green landscapes.Although it rarelly rains here (we had the first rainfall in two weeks on Friday...and what a rainfall.Kids here take showers outside when it rains and have water fights because it's the only time they can play with water without wasting it).The countryside is amazing.
On our way back from Kumasi we had a small tro-tro accident but nothing major and nobody was hurt.Drivers are crazy but they know what they are doing.We jumped onto another tro-tro and five minutes latert it ran out of gas, meaning we had to find another one.Eventful drive back home indeed.
The night following the trip was a strange one.Around 3 am, our neighbours came banging on our door saying that everyone should get out because there had been an earthquake warning.Earthquake in Ghana.So imagine everyone at 3 am sitting outside for an hour.It was both scary, amusing and ridiculous.Especially since it turned to be a false alrm.Apparently someone in Ghana (I don't know where) prtetended there was going to be earthquake.He phoned a friend who phoned a friend who phoned a friend.Richard, our coordinator, actually heard it from someone living in Cape Coast, 200 km from Accra.Eventful night.Ghanaians call each other so much and have such a great sense of community that the whole coastline found itself on the street at 3 am waiting for an earthquake.The Haiti tragedy only made things worse.
On Monday, I started work at the Maternity Clinic....and was allowed to watch a mother give birth to a baby boy.It was absolutely amazing...and nothing like I had imagined.They have no drugs here so it looked VERY painfu.I was allowed to hold to child after.The first time he opens his eyes is absolutely beautiful.
There is a lot to do here.The Margo Maternity Clinic is a small rural hospital.Chickens and cats roam around and the clinic is made out of little shacks.A lot of people come everyuday so I help with the pulse taking, temperature, questionnaires, injections...They taught me so much.Bacxk home you would need a degree for this but here they just learn opn the ground.
It is interesting to watch a woman's reaction here when you tell them they are gonna have a child. Out of the 4 women I talked to only one was truly happy.It was her first child.But the others already had a few and the prospect of another one means the family will struggle to make ends meet.After seeing what happens at the maltrunition ward, I can understand that they worry.A young woman today ate herbs on purpose so she could lose the child.She was 7 months pregnant.Poverty leads to terrible acts.I've heard a lot of similar stories since I've been here.Ghana is still very poor.
I told you the last few dfays had been eventful...
On another subject, I tried to upload pictures onto the website and it takes FOREVER and the computer crashes.Internet is very slow here.
The ride to Kumasi was beautiful even though buses are uncomfortable, crowded and hot.Imagine lush green landscapes.Although it rarelly rains here (we had the first rainfall in two weeks on Friday...and what a rainfall.Kids here take showers outside when it rains and have water fights because it's the only time they can play with water without wasting it).The countryside is amazing.
On our way back from Kumasi we had a small tro-tro accident but nothing major and nobody was hurt.Drivers are crazy but they know what they are doing.We jumped onto another tro-tro and five minutes latert it ran out of gas, meaning we had to find another one.Eventful drive back home indeed.
The night following the trip was a strange one.Around 3 am, our neighbours came banging on our door saying that everyone should get out because there had been an earthquake warning.Earthquake in Ghana.So imagine everyone at 3 am sitting outside for an hour.It was both scary, amusing and ridiculous.Especially since it turned to be a false alrm.Apparently someone in Ghana (I don't know where) prtetended there was going to be earthquake.He phoned a friend who phoned a friend who phoned a friend.Richard, our coordinator, actually heard it from someone living in Cape Coast, 200 km from Accra.Eventful night.Ghanaians call each other so much and have such a great sense of community that the whole coastline found itself on the street at 3 am waiting for an earthquake.The Haiti tragedy only made things worse.
On Monday, I started work at the Maternity Clinic....and was allowed to watch a mother give birth to a baby boy.It was absolutely amazing...and nothing like I had imagined.They have no drugs here so it looked VERY painfu.I was allowed to hold to child after.The first time he opens his eyes is absolutely beautiful.
There is a lot to do here.The Margo Maternity Clinic is a small rural hospital.Chickens and cats roam around and the clinic is made out of little shacks.A lot of people come everyuday so I help with the pulse taking, temperature, questionnaires, injections...They taught me so much.Bacxk home you would need a degree for this but here they just learn opn the ground.
It is interesting to watch a woman's reaction here when you tell them they are gonna have a child. Out of the 4 women I talked to only one was truly happy.It was her first child.But the others already had a few and the prospect of another one means the family will struggle to make ends meet.After seeing what happens at the maltrunition ward, I can understand that they worry.A young woman today ate herbs on purpose so she could lose the child.She was 7 months pregnant.Poverty leads to terrible acts.I've heard a lot of similar stories since I've been here.Ghana is still very poor.
I told you the last few dfays had been eventful...
On another subject, I tried to upload pictures onto the website and it takes FOREVER and the computer crashes.Internet is very slow here.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thoughts on street vendors
Actually they're more road vendors than street vendors.People selling EVERYTHING while you're sitting on the tro-tro or taxi.They hold their merchandise on their head on in their arms.It's like a supermarket.You can buy everything from food/water to fabric and flags, telephone cards and Bibles.Someone told me some people even sometimes sell puppies.I'm not surprised.I don't know how people make a living out of this.Everybody buys from them but they are so many street vendors that I'm not sure they actually make a lot of money.
The Rehab Center
I worked for three days at the rehabilitation center at the Children's Hospital.It's both a great place and a sad one.All the kids from the malnutrition ward go through rehabilitation.They come as often as they can until they're are doing well.Some of the chubby kids I saw were in a bad state only a few weeks ago. So hope is there.I saw some before/after pictures and the difference is astonishing.Every Friday they all have a complete check-up.It's a great out patient follow-up system.
On a sadder note, I also saw my first HIV/AIDS cases in children.Two of them are probably not going to live very long.They are barely two and already very sick.The children all caught it from their parents.It's sad to see children with HIV because they can't talk yet to tell you where it hurts so they just cry.There is not much to do except treat them as best as one can for whatever disease, skin problem or rash they have for the moment.
This weekend I'm going to Kumasi (an old Ashanti tribe town) with a couple of friends.It's nice to take a break on the weekend.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
First days at the Children's Hospital
(Lucky you, two posts today)
I had my first two days of work at the Children's Hospital.I asked to stay at the malnutrition wards for a few days.It's sad place but doctors do their best with what they have.
Currently, there are about 6 children but some come and go.Most of children are under 2 years old, although it's very hard to see as they are very small and often extremely skinny.
Two of them are in a particularly bad shape.One 17 months little Liberian girl (refugee), Rita, arrived on Sunday. She was so weak that she couldn't walk, hold her head up or even eat.So she had to be fed through the nose.As a refugee, the mother has very little means.Today she was already doing a little better.I'm allowed to the rounds with the head doctor and the nurses so I get to see everything that goes on.
Another little boy, Samuel, has a very sad story.He has two other siblings, a 4 months old brother and a 4 year old brother.He is 13 months old and his mother simply won't care for him.The doctors are at loss as to why she does not like him but the 4 months old brother is the same size and weighs for that Samuel.He is a little like a vegetable and does not really react to anything.He is often alone so when I'm doing anything I stay by him.The hospital is trying to keep Samuel as long as they can because they know that if they send him home, he will probably be back quickly.
The other children are malnourished as a result of poverty and lack of education/knowledge.One of the mothers in 18 years old and does not know how to deal with a child while still in school.The pharmacist today told me that malnutrition is becoming more of a problem, especially in Accra.While Ghana is developing, on a local and family level many people still own very little and cannot feed their child.Uneducated people have 4-5 kids (educated people have 2) but not the means to feed them.
There are 3 HIV cases for the moment out of 20 children in total.They often come to the malnutrition ward but obviously need special care.While most malnutrition cases are send to rehabilitation center after five days or so, there is not much one can do for kids with HIV as their nutrition and weight will always be a problem.
The children are fed every 4 hours and are on a special diet, which consists of 4 different types of milk, paste and vitamins: M75, M 100, R. Then they also get .food, depending on their state. They also get drugs and injection once day, are weighted at 6 am and 8 pm, and temperature is taken 4 times a day.A nutritionist is always on the ground to give advice to the parents.What the hospital lack is a professional psychologist for the parents.The head doctor is very aware of this.As he told me today someone's like Samuel's mother really needs a psychologist.They were trying to convince to take care of her child, but she just looked away.But the hospital does not have to means to get a professional counselor.Yesterday, I met a psychology student from the University of Ghana who is doing research on how relatives/caretaker react when their child is sick.Apparently, no one has ever done this in Ghana before.Research like this is difficult because relatives do not easily talk about their feelings and problems.Moreover, funding is rare.
Nurses and doctors are extremely nice and generous.They answer all my questions, let me observe everything they do and come to me tell me about the challenges they meet.They are happy to have visitors.
To resume, it has been a great couple of days.I already learned a lot.
I had my first two days of work at the Children's Hospital.I asked to stay at the malnutrition wards for a few days.It's sad place but doctors do their best with what they have.
Currently, there are about 6 children but some come and go.Most of children are under 2 years old, although it's very hard to see as they are very small and often extremely skinny.
Two of them are in a particularly bad shape.One 17 months little Liberian girl (refugee), Rita, arrived on Sunday. She was so weak that she couldn't walk, hold her head up or even eat.So she had to be fed through the nose.As a refugee, the mother has very little means.Today she was already doing a little better.I'm allowed to the rounds with the head doctor and the nurses so I get to see everything that goes on.
Another little boy, Samuel, has a very sad story.He has two other siblings, a 4 months old brother and a 4 year old brother.He is 13 months old and his mother simply won't care for him.The doctors are at loss as to why she does not like him but the 4 months old brother is the same size and weighs for that Samuel.He is a little like a vegetable and does not really react to anything.He is often alone so when I'm doing anything I stay by him.The hospital is trying to keep Samuel as long as they can because they know that if they send him home, he will probably be back quickly.
The other children are malnourished as a result of poverty and lack of education/knowledge.One of the mothers in 18 years old and does not know how to deal with a child while still in school.The pharmacist today told me that malnutrition is becoming more of a problem, especially in Accra.While Ghana is developing, on a local and family level many people still own very little and cannot feed their child.Uneducated people have 4-5 kids (educated people have 2) but not the means to feed them.
There are 3 HIV cases for the moment out of 20 children in total.They often come to the malnutrition ward but obviously need special care.While most malnutrition cases are send to rehabilitation center after five days or so, there is not much one can do for kids with HIV as their nutrition and weight will always be a problem.
The children are fed every 4 hours and are on a special diet, which consists of 4 different types of milk, paste and vitamins: M75, M 100, R. Then they also get .food, depending on their state. They also get drugs and injection once day, are weighted at 6 am and 8 pm, and temperature is taken 4 times a day.A nutritionist is always on the ground to give advice to the parents.What the hospital lack is a professional psychologist for the parents.The head doctor is very aware of this.As he told me today someone's like Samuel's mother really needs a psychologist.They were trying to convince to take care of her child, but she just looked away.But the hospital does not have to means to get a professional counselor.Yesterday, I met a psychology student from the University of Ghana who is doing research on how relatives/caretaker react when their child is sick.Apparently, no one has ever done this in Ghana before.Research like this is difficult because relatives do not easily talk about their feelings and problems.Moreover, funding is rare.
Nurses and doctors are extremely nice and generous.They answer all my questions, let me observe everything they do and come to me tell me about the challenges they meet.They are happy to have visitors.
To resume, it has been a great couple of days.I already learned a lot.
Thoughts on Ghanaian Chaos
A little like New Yorkers and Italians, Ghanaians seem to like chaos.First, they will just p[ark and drive anywhere.They drive like mad men and accident occur regularly.Everyone travels by taxi or tro-tro.Anything alive or not gets on these things.Today, I had a hen next to me and a friend of mine even told me that she once saw a goat being put at the passenger seat.
Second, there's litter everywhere.Don't even think about trying to find a garbage can.It breaks my heart every time I have to throw something away but there is no choice.
But somehow the chaos doesn't disturb me.I know it's dirty and overcrowded but in a strange way that's part of the excitement.The noise, dirt, loud music, cars honking, volubility is just part of Ghana.It's wondrously chaotic.
If you ever go to a country that has tro-tros, use them (carefully as some are about to fall part).It';s the best way to meet people when you're a foreigner.Yesterday I was standing at the back of the line, everybody let me in before then because they were so happy to see a foreigner on a tro.Then you exchange a few words, email address and phone numbers.It makes them happy.And you get to know the country in a very different way.
Second, there's litter everywhere.Don't even think about trying to find a garbage can.It breaks my heart every time I have to throw something away but there is no choice.
But somehow the chaos doesn't disturb me.I know it's dirty and overcrowded but in a strange way that's part of the excitement.The noise, dirt, loud music, cars honking, volubility is just part of Ghana.It's wondrously chaotic.
If you ever go to a country that has tro-tros, use them (carefully as some are about to fall part).It';s the best way to meet people when you're a foreigner.Yesterday I was standing at the back of the line, everybody let me in before then because they were so happy to see a foreigner on a tro.Then you exchange a few words, email address and phone numbers.It makes them happy.And you get to know the country in a very different way.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Visit to the Liberian refugee camp
On Friday I went to the Liberian refugee camp near Accra.It was founded 30 years ago and a lot of the children who now live there were born in Ghana.The camp is headed by UNHCR. UNAIDS, Unicef and the World Food Organization are also present.They try to organize skill workshops but it's hard for Liberians to get a job in Ghana so most of them wqork within the camp and receive money from relatives living abroad (especially Canada and the US).HIV/AIDS is quite a big problem there so there quite a big clinic on the ground where people can get tested.I saw several posters within the camp trying to convince people to get tested and have safer sex.
Visiting the camp was quite an experience. People have actual little houses there, not tents but they still don't own a lot.One of the small shacks burn down while we were there and people were devastated as this is their only property.Most people won't go back to Liberia.Most of time because they have made their life here.Although they do not own much here, life in Liberia does not provide as much security as life in the camp.They have built their own small Liberia here.
On Saturday, I went to Kokrobite beach with some of the volunteers.A lot of Ghanaians come there to dance and play drums so it was great to experience that side of Ghanaian culture.Needless to say Ghanaians know how to throw a party.
I'm starting my project tomorrow.I'm very excited.The Children's Hospital has some great programs and try to provide the best care possible.However, the government recently cut funding so they have a lot to deal with.I'll tell you more about it once I've spent some time there but the nurses were very nice and showed me around for quite a long time.They try to teach parents to establish a healthy diet for their child even with little means.In the rehabilitation center, some of kids were really skinny.One of the nurses measured a child's upper arm to see how much weight he needed to gain.It's quite sad to watch but at least the child will receive help.
Visiting the camp was quite an experience. People have actual little houses there, not tents but they still don't own a lot.One of the small shacks burn down while we were there and people were devastated as this is their only property.Most people won't go back to Liberia.Most of time because they have made their life here.Although they do not own much here, life in Liberia does not provide as much security as life in the camp.They have built their own small Liberia here.
On Saturday, I went to Kokrobite beach with some of the volunteers.A lot of Ghanaians come there to dance and play drums so it was great to experience that side of Ghanaian culture.Needless to say Ghanaians know how to throw a party.
I'm starting my project tomorrow.I'm very excited.The Children's Hospital has some great programs and try to provide the best care possible.However, the government recently cut funding so they have a lot to deal with.I'll tell you more about it once I've spent some time there but the nurses were very nice and showed me around for quite a long time.They try to teach parents to establish a healthy diet for their child even with little means.In the rehabilitation center, some of kids were really skinny.One of the nurses measured a child's upper arm to see how much weight he needed to gain.It's quite sad to watch but at least the child will receive help.
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