As promised, I have included little bits and pieces of my experiences here in Dar es Salaam. It has been really difficult to blog about what we have seen and experienced so I hope this sheds some light on what has become a very memorable journey!
"...still can't get over that nurses under no circumstances wear a stethoscope, this right is strictly reserved for doctors. Assessments consist of fundal height, vital signs, FHR, height and weight, edema, position and general condition of the mother."
"lots of stigma around blood transfusions, therefore women with anemia and very low hemoglobins will take Rosealla flowers which they boil over several hours and then drink. They claim this is a natural remedy to increase iron stores."
"wanted to leave as quickly as I came, seeing the babies all lined up side by side in so much respiratory distress was devastating! I wanted to leave and not come back, there was nothing we could do to help."
"how any nurse can cope with such an increased patient ratio is beyond me, how you can safely administer medications, get things done in a timely manner and provide safe competent care is not existent. These nurses somehow manage and their empathy and compassion, I will never forget!"
"the encephalocele was...there are no words! I feel sick to my stomach"
"When a baby is crying, your human instinct is to soothe and comfort. Here there is no time, 60+ babies and 2-3 nurses! The baby cried all morning....."
"still can't find policies and procedures, have searched everywhere."
"all the women, pre and post delivery are dressed so colourfully in their kangas! I'm going to miss the brightness here."
"narrow hallway, benches lined with 40+ mothers breastfeeding side by side, 35+ degrees, no A/C, one fan! Difficult to get used to the pungent odor! Learned quickly to breathe through my mouth!"
"I wonder if I have TB yet...."
"6 hours post c/s mothers are given a black tea called "chai range" with a teaspoon of brown sugar to help pass flatus! Ice chips would be fantastic here in the scorching heat."
"mattresses lined the hallways today, no room to walk, chaos everywhere! Today was admit day."
"...84 day maternity leave here...."
"my heart hurts today, just want to sit and cry! I miss the familiarity of home and the equipment we have, I want to do more, but I can't"
More to come!
xoxo
