Clinic Day 5 - April 14

The day got to an ominous start. Amy, our pharmacist, was feeling ill and progressively got worse as the morning went on. She was moved from the guesthouse to the directors' house and was there all day. It sounded serious for a while and we were gravely concerned as she might have to be taken to the hospital. Finally it was diagnosed as dysentery and Amy was able to sit with us at dinner. Jennifer, my co-hort at the registration station also got ill - with the "turista" - and was not able work. She was also better at the end of the day. Down two people, we managed the visitors for the day. Thankfully it was not as busy as the first two days. and also that Roma, an American nurse who works in Jinja, was able dispense the medication.

I also did not feel well at the end of the day - the worst I've felt thus far. But my discomfort is nothing compared to the some of the vistors. Today the worst case was a 3-monnth old infant that had a bad case of pneumonia. There was a risk of the baby dying if not taken to the hospital soon. As in the previous days when we had clinic, the worst cases were taken to nearby hospital, about 10 minutes. It is operated by Slovakian docotrs. They have been a Godsend as several patients have been transported during our time here .The missionaries at GSF provide the transportation. Some other examples of the worst cases: infants with malaria, advanced staged cancer,an older with a badly swollen arm from sort of bite. Today there were several people taken to the hospital for syphillis testing, which is rampant here.

Yesterday another 3-month old with pneumonia aslo at a very high risk, accompanied by the mother. The father apparently is Muslim and the baby also had markings that might indicate some sort of witchcraft. The fear is father might beat up on thee mother for taking the baby to a Christian facility.