Habari ya Tumaini
So, it’s been quite a while since
I’ve written. Life has become quite busy, and I have wanted to be
thinking clearly before sitting down to write to everyone again. Today I
realized I’m not sure I’m one to think clearly…linearly… So, I’ll write a
little on a more serious note. Life seems so much more serious when you
are freezing in the house with fuzzy socks and heavy sweater shawl in place and
with a cup of tea. (Yes, I know it’s 73 degrees. But, can you really put
a number on “cold?”) As the content herein will be serious, I’ll attach a few
pictures in a lighter vein.
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I’ve always quite
liked sea slugs, and as it is the rainy season, slugs are abundant. One of my
pastimes has become stalking slugs and taking pictures in the foliage.
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| One of my favorite people from New Zealand posing with me in the
matching skirts we had made |
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My favorite New
Zealand couple with me at a fabulous Ethiopian restaurant
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| F75 is a dog living near the canteen at Selian who was quite
malnourished in January as she was breastfeeding her puppies. We named her
after the initial formula fed to children with severe acute malnutrition—F75. |
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| View from one of my flights with the flying medical service to transport
patients from the rural areas of Tanzania to a hospital. The pink dots are
flamingoes |
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| More flamingos |
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| One of the planes was owned by Wings of Hope previously… but I found the
tail comforting ;) |
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| Another view from one of my flights |
In my short time in Arusha, I’ve been
impressed with the lasting, positive impact made by the revolving door of
residents and medical students at Selian and ALMC. They arrive with eyes wide
open and energy. There is a general eagerness to help in addition to learn—many
are surprised that they have plenty of knowledge to share with medical
trainees. The knowledge gained when visiting Selian and ALMC extends far
beyond the sheer volume and serious medical acuity of patient
interactions. I watch as people absorb the community-centered culture and
are introduced to the medical system headed by a government who has a strong
desire to provide affordable care to the vulnerable populations as well as
those in upper socioeconomic status. This idealism is a laudable goal,
but lack of resources in necessary areas results in a medical system for the
vulnerable that seems to limp along at times. It can be discouraging
operating within this context, with a serious lack of trained medical personnel
in the country. I think this is one realm in which cultural exchange can
be quite valuable. The influx of positive energy and new eyes analyzing
dilemmas from clinical cases to medical systems to clinical education promotes
patient explanation from Tanzanians which spurs creative new ideas and
approaches that help in the brainstorming process that can “fight the
unbeatable foe.” This truly helps to subdue that nagging feeling
that your team is simply “rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.”
On a more personal note, friendships
form quickly here, and many of them continue after resident/med student
departures. Likewise, it’s been very encouraging to find consultants in
the US who are happy to help with tricky cases despite the lab and imaging
limitations. Forging friendships and professional relationships between
hospitals in Tanzania and between specialists across countries is one path to a
brighter future in the realm of medicine.
I feel honored to work with so many
Tanzanians and expats who are deeply devoted to medicine and the improvement of
lives for individuals and the population as a whole. It is not infrequent
to feel incredibly inspired and unbearably frustrated simultaneously. The
rollercoaster of life somehow seems more intense here than it might
elsewhere. As in any medical practice, some weeks are much more discouraging
than others in terms of patient outcomes. However, keeping a list of
patients who left the hospital or clinic with a clear improvement in health has
been invaluable. As in the US, debriefing with hospital staff and
families is cathartic for all parties involved.
