Settling in

We woke late at 10.30. We needed to get to the town’s Spa shop before closing at midday. Having hurried for an hour to get jobs done, we found the store closed all day for a stock take.

We decided to try and sort out our new car. Two problems a) it wouldn’t start and b) the bonnet would not open. Nevermind. A chance to put all my manliness to the test. Fifteen minutes later I went for help.

Eventually we solved both car problems. (A picture of grinning and proud Henry beside old Ford Focus to follow.)

On walking to introduce ourselves to a couple of doctors absent the previous night, Mary’s heart was stolen. Across our tracks walked Kumbu carrying a washing basket containing 11 puppies. Thus far I have managed to forestall Mary’s attempts at purchasing ‘piddle’, ‘puke’ or any of the rest.

Most of the afternoon was taken up by a tour of the hospital. We were shown round by Nat (female doctor married to Tyrone – also a doctor). The full enormity of what Mary and Shabana (also over from the UK) are about to do, hit home. Two years into their medical career they will be on call alone once a week and one every three weekends. The hospital regularly receives locals suffering from:

Machete attacks
Gun shot wounds
Car accidents
Rapes
Complicated pregnancies

Obviously, many of these come in at night.

The hospital currently has 8 doctors. It serves a community of over 120,000. Each doctor is given sole responsibility for a ward. Typically they complete a ward round within the first two hours of the day. They must manage their wards on very limited budgets. More to follow on what ward Mary is allocated.

The doctors share the task of processing admissions. This takes place after they have completed their first ward rounds. The numbers coming into the hospital each day can be huge, meaning great speed is required. Only the very sick are admitted. The death rate is very high. There is a huge cemetery located just down the road. Apparently, despite the frequency of deaths, all funerals are treated as very big occasions.

My awe at the skill and dedication of the doctors here is growing by the hour.

Little to say about our evening.