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Brian showed us around the hospital and introduced us to Baba ( father). He is head of the hospital. Baba tells us the history of the hospital and is very welcoming. We go through A& E dept which consists of a small desk and 2 hospital beds. (very small area). lots of people waiting outside to see doctor. If they need test, scans, e rays etc they have to pay. Most people go without treatment as they can not pay. one person had to sell his cow to pay for his treatment. Next it's to the gyni and obs department. Lots of ladies sat outside, some pregnant some in labour but many in pain. One lady walked past us was in agony think she was about to give birth. Next to the peidiatric department. Many women with children sat outside Feeding babies with cups of milk. Brian then takes us to the psychiatry department. The sister was very nice and made us feel at ease. after a trial (green tea) we put on our scrubs and head in the clinic. We sit and observe the interaction between nurse and patient. Bit difficult as they speak Swahili. Nurse translated conversations so we knew a bit s about the patient. Found this bit a bit draining as you could see the patients emotions but couldn't understand what was being said. All patients come through A&E and usually if presenting any confusions etc. it said its malaria or psychosis and medication is prescribed. What was very different to nursing in the uk was the nurse was the one to diagnose and prescribe. There was no doctor involved. The patient wasn't always present usually relatives came in their behalf to discuss their symptoms and collect their medication. Bit unsure how often the medication is monitored ( if it is). The range of meds were limited to clopromazine & halaperadol. All the documentation was in English which was a bonus.
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