Village Clinic

Saturday we went to Steve Potani's village to do a village clinic. It is very isolated and close to the Mozambique border. Charles  was the driver and head translator, traffic controller and general 'make things happen' guy, while we had Jolyn and Clifford as our other translators. Lucky Nyirenda, a clinical officer from DLH, came along to help. Steve also came in another car, taking Clifford and Lucky with him, as the car we had was loaded with meds and our lunch (good thing, as Steve stopped and bought meat at the roadside meat market and we did not want to eat that).

Lucky and Jessica saw patients, while Laci and I worked the pharmacy and the 'skin disease' station. Most of the diseases were either fungal of some sort (ring worm is a huge problem here with the kids), atophic / eczema type or wounds of varying ages. We have worked to teach some of Steve's relatives basic wound care (cleaning with soap and water, protecting from further contamination, etc) and I think we have met with some success.  We were able to have both a malaria test kit and a glucometer. Most of our patients have fairly simple but chronic problems. We did have a child with what appeared to be mumps, which means more children in the village will likely get that illness. The country does not vaccinate against mumps. We had one fairly ill 3 month old baby, and several children with upper respiratory illnesses or diarrhea.  The rains came hard and heavy while we were in the village, but the weather cleared so that we could get out (about an hour from the nearest tarmack road).

I have not been able to post pictures on this blog, but you can see photos on my facebook. Friend me if you have not and at least see the photos!

Praise/thanksgiving/ prayer
Thanksgiving for all the people who have donated out of their hearts to this mission trip - money, meds, clothes, etc.
Praise for travel and personal safety.
Prayers as we leave today (Sunday) after church to go to Salima and Pothawira for 5 days.