A sort of sympathetic ear
on Annemiek Miller (Rwanda), 17/Jan/2008 08:06, 34 days ago
Wednesday January 16, 2008I asked my friend Pastor Samuel (an older man and chaplain at the hospital) for some advice as to whom to turn to. He suggested I see the head of Nursing. He said he would get some more background on the family for me and see how he might also help. This woman decided to get the file and go and see Jacqueline. J was not in her bed, but outside. This was where I had found her the very first visit last Sunday afternoon. Then she was alone, lying on the grass in the hot sun. This time she was with sister and all the children, surrounded by many cloths and rags drying on the grass in the sun. The head nurse was visibly shocked to see this emaciated body and the collection of malnourished children surrounding her. I had already decided in my head that I wanted to get a“Garde malade”. Someone who can read and write, who has some common sense and especially some compassion without being turned off by this so neglected body. Jacqueline is an attractive woman, but she is filthy with nails that are malformed and feet that are full of jiggers. It was clear that the hospital should have intervened here and found some outside help and the head nurse acknowledged this more or less. To my surprise they had no people they knew who might take on this work for which I will pay. So, I have told all sorts of people I am looking for someone. I hope that tomorrow thissomeone will appear. I will ask them to wash, feed and make sure Jacqueline is helped to the toilet and is taught how to use a bedpan and given one!So yes the nursing head was sympathetic and admitted that there was a missing link in the hospital to allow such neglect and not intervene. Not so for the administrator who stood outside talking. He immediately tried to cover his ass and say that they had lots of cases like this. That comment allowed me to drive my point home: the hospital needs to ask for funds to help care for patients who have no family. They have a social welfare department and here is something that dept can add to their list of activities. Speaking of which– there is not much activity in this hospital. Too many people either standing around talking to each other or just not findable! And the salaries are relatively good. Over my time here many young European medical students have done 3 month placements here and they have all said that there is toomuch lethargy amonf the staff. I will keep you posted on this.Otherwise I am glad to be back here. There are lots of exciting things happening with my work. A plus tard!Am looking forward to a visit from 2 good friends at the end of this month.