There won't be snow in Africa this Christmas
on Shona in Sierra Leone (Sierra Leone), 22/Dec/2010 21:21, 34 days ago
…At least not in Freetown. We’re a balmy 31oC when I’m told that Elgin in Scotland was -18oC last night. I now have an office at work. It comes with an air-conditioning unit (who paid for this I wonder? And why? Why did they not put the money into something more useful like another doctor or nurse?). Anyway, its there, so on it went. I have acclimatised enough to feel cold when it is set at 27oC…. So not sure how I would fare in the UK just now!Apparently it’s Christmas in 3 days time. It seems to have bypassed me a bit this year. Mostly because I have already had my holidays so am now back to work. Also – its just strange being warm at Christmas. There are a few decorations about but they look decidedly out of place. The hospital’s actually pretty quiet just now – although this is a relative term (I am told that parents keep their children at home at Christmas time even longer than usual – which is saying something). Strange thinking back to this time last year when I was an Acute Reg in the JRH looking after all those bronch babies! There are actually babies with bronchiolitis here – its just that they get treated as pneumonia (i.e. with antibiotics) because according to the WHO cough + fever + tachypnoea = pneumonia. Dr Hull would not be happy. Hopefully happier to know that I go around crossing off all the steroids prescribed for them….!I am having a happier week than some weeks. None of the children I am actively looking after have died so far. Even the boy who has been unconscious with cerebral malaria for 4 days is still alive at the moment (although clearly it will take a small miracle for him to survive). I’ve even helped to make a few patients better – if the child is better the Mums say “I tell God tenki” which means “Thanks be to God” which is so lovely to hear.Many thanks for all your Christmas wishes. Mum told me this evening that lots of people have sent cards. Many thanks for these in advance. Unfortunately none of them have arrived! I’ll keep you posted when they do! I’m actually spending Christmas Day on the beach – hopefully having lobster for dinner!So, from warm and sunny Freetown, I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and all the very best wishes for the New Year!