Maula Prison, 2016

Today we did the first clinic of the trip - Maula Prison, the second largest prison in Malawi. Charles Msukwa of Amazing Grace Ministries, has worked hard to make a huge difference in these prisoners'  lives.  Joey Swartz and Kelley McGowan (both RNs) worked in pharmacy and wound care. Jollyn  Kumilonde was my translator. My dear Jones Tambula was still there, working hard. Doctors without Borders have been in Malawi for a couple of years, helping in the prisons and the refugee camps. They had their national team (i.e. Malawians) working along side of us today as clinical officers. All in all a very good clinic. The HIV and TB seems to be well treated at the moment. The nutritional  status of the inmates is always an issue, even more so with the food shortages dogging the country at the moment, but Charles has been busy raising funds to be sure they have something to eat (although it is one meal a day of nsima and occasionally with beans).  We saw some very sick patients today, one with what appears to be either decompensated Hep B and liver failure or liver cancer. His problems all started when he was bewitched and sticks were placed in his abdomen (he had surgery for bowel obstruction). His is now jaundiced ('yellow'), unable to eat and appeared quite ill. Another very pleasant gentleman was having pain when he rotated his head to the right or lifted / moved his right arm - he had a massive tumor in the right side of his neck - immobile and rock hard. I fear he has some very ugly cancer. Of course, we saw lots of  coughing and abdominal pain, skin rashes, GBP (general body pain) and dental issues. Pretty much like the average ED except for the large number of malaria cases!
Enjoy the photos!

Lining up to be seen

My 'office' with Jollyn and a patient. 

Prisoners waiting to be seen, to get their meds or to have tests (malaria, glucose, hemoglobin) done.

Joey ran between the wound care, the pharmacy and my room (trying to decipher my handwriting). Here she is in the wound care area with Smart, the medical assistant who helps with wound care.

Jones, Lydia and Joey working hard in the pharmacy.

Joey and Lydia, our pharmacy experts!

Kelley McGowan, deeply involved in wound care!

Pellagra - deficiency of niacin, brought about by a diet existing almost entirely of corn / maize.

The team - in the back from the left - Jones,  Joey (kneeling and trying to hide!), two clinical officers (one government, one Doctors without borders). On the bench in front: me, Jollyn and Charles.

A quick shout out to all the gracious folk who have donated supplies, cash, and medications: this was only the first of many clinics, and I promise we will be good stewards of your gifts. If I could ask one more thing: your prayers to keep up safe and let us reflect the Lord in all we do, that would be wonderful. Thanking you in advance for those prayers!