Well I spoke FAR too soon, and of course I ended up with the delightful D+V...I'm on day 3 of Shits and although I am not feeling too unwell and have urine like maple syrup things are looking up slightly. I'm sure it was expected but there is nothing like a good dose (of shits) to make you feel home sick and regress to wanting your loved ones. I also missed the Murchison fall trip which was even more depressing given that it was such a beautiful sight..I shall go there anyway when I have some more spare time.
Today was the last day of the conference and I presented and did a workshop about implementing an early warning score system in the maternity section of the hospital. Uganda still has very high rates of maternal mortality and 25% of children will not see their 5th birthday. There is also the issue that half of the Ugandan population is under 14! The early warning system will allow nurses and doctors to detect and implement action when a patient is showing early signs of deterioration. It is a tried and successfully tested method that is used in the UK by all hospitals.
I also went to see the Paediatric ward today. The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming which was very nice. The children looked very poorly and I know this is going to be a very hard 7 weeks. This will probably hit me more knowing I have two daughters, but we must be grateful in the UK/Ireland for what we have. I'm sure I will be taking sympathy trips to the pharmacy to get children the medicines they can't afford.
Talking about costs, the guys who guard the compound are very friendly but get paid 5000 Ugandan shillings a day. That is £1.20 a day! The guy got us some water today from the supermarket and I told him to keep the change (6000 ugandan shillings). He was absolutely over the moon, even though it is a miniscule amount to most of us...I can't imagine working for such a low wage.
So I have a weekend of lie in's ahead of me, saying goodbye to two lovely proper Midwives and will go to the pool if I can for some relaxation. Ugandan cuisine is firmly off the menu until I get better!
hope you are feeling a bit better - of course the guy was thrilled- you gave him a day's wages! be careful, though, because word will get round that you have money to throw around...
ReplyDeletesounds like the conference was a great experience - we are all fine here - C went to a party today and had a good time. Not as exciting as your days, but still pretty cool to her. Talk soon, and take care