Mission Malawi: Daeyang Luke days 2 and 3

Tuesday, Jessica and I went to the surgical rounds at Kamuzu Central Hospital, which was interesting. We made some good contacts if she decides to pursue returning to Malawi. We had a tour of the Casualty by one of the UNC surgical residents who has been doing research here for almost a year. We then went to DLH for the rest of the day. Jessica was able to do a bedside sonogram, we saw a few patients, but mainly seemed to concentrate on a young boy. I obviously cannot give any details, but pray for him! We had lunch in the cafeteria with Dr. Shin (both yesterday and today). They serve local food - nsima, rice, chicken or meat, vegetables and beans. In the afternoon we saw a few more patients and then attended the 'handoff' at ~4:30.

Today (Wednesday) we were at DLH by 7 AM for devotions and the morning report, then to the Casualty for another day. The ED in Malawi does not function like the ED in the US - patients rarely show up in the ED as a first stop. They are seen in the outpatient department and then referred to the ED for wound care (and they can come back daily for dressing changes), for injections, for lab draws if the lab cannot get the blood, for IV meds or blood transfusions or if they are to be admitted they come to the ED for all the initial labs and 'stablizations'. Since they were seen in outpatient, they generally belong to that clinical officer, doctor, or med student. Many times they are fine with us assessing them, treating them and even discharging them. We did have a patient come with an IV today from an outside clinic - the clinical officer there had already spoken to one of the clinical officers at DLH and arrangements had been made for admission. She arrived in a lorry (those BIG trucks) with her husband holding the IV. Interesting. We left a little early today, as it was very, very slow (we were told 'it is because it is the middle of the week').
Tomorrow we repeat the process. We interact / work with med students, clinical officers and doctors. The med students are delightful and so intense! If all the med students would graduate and stay in Malawi, it would be such a blessing. I am learning so much about HIV, TB, cancer in Malawi, treatments of various diseases, etc. I almost feel like I am a student again.

We remain well, although the heat is exhausting. Yesterday there was a minor sprinkle but the real rains haven't started yet. The dust is everywhere. We are enjoying very much coming home to a clean house and done laundry thanks to our friend, Mr. Whiskas. He is a true blessing and makes our lives so much easier when we are here. He has a true servant's heart and takes pleasure and pride in his work!

Laci is planning on coming to Lilongwe tomorrow, and I am planning that the two of us go to immigration for visas (they only last 30 days and then must be renewed). Her plans are somewhat fluid at the present, but she may be able to go to the village clinic Sat as the wound care nurse / pharmacist. That would be a tremendous help! We are slowly getting our supplies / medications for that trip. I also ran into an old friend from COTN, Davie, at Shoprite (grocery store) this afternoon. He says there is a need for antifungal cream for the kids at a couple of the feeding villages. We gave some out last year and he reports that it worked very well. I have promised to buy more and deliver to him before I leave.

If you are wondering, all photos of patients are taken only after the patient and family members have given permission. I always try to respect the patients and their families.

Praise / thanksgiving / prayer requests
Thanksgiving for our health, continue safety and travel mercies
Praise for the generosity of friends in the US who, through donations, have helped finance this trip
Prayers for our young patient from yesterday.

Jessica holding Malambe juice - made from the baobob tree. We were told it was good - NOT -thick and weird.