New Experience For Experienced Nurses

As nurses with several years of pediatric experience we were not only pleased to visit Abel and Rachel at the hospital but also to get a glimpse into the Ugandan medical system. 

Abel was in one of 30 cribs (3 rows of 10) in the "Giraffe Room" which is next to the "Zebra Room". It was very large (approx. 24' x 40' ?) with decorative painting/decals on the walls. There was room between the cribs to place one patio chair for the care giver of each child.  

There was a stretcher in one corner for performing procedures such as starting IVs.  At one end of the room there was a small open area with a few benches against the wall where caregivers can go for a change of location as they are able.  

Sanyu supplies Rachel with a mat to sleep on at night though she admits she actually gets little sleep. Some of her meals are supplied by the hospital and Sanyu provides her with some supplementary snacks. 

The cribs were metal, similar to what we used at Saint John Regional about 20 years ago.  Although they're not up to Canadian standards, they were in good condition. Each crib is supplied with a mosquito net. 

In Uganda a family member, in Abel's case Mama Rachel, stays with the patient 24 hours a day to provide care - bathing, feeding, and all other general care. We noted that some mothers also brought other small children as there was no one else available to care for them. 

The hospital does not supply linens or laundry services. Again, that is the responsibility of the caregiver. Mama Rachel told us she does the laundry (by hand of course) each morning before Abel wakes and then she places it on the grass outside to dry. 

We were amazed at how quiet and orderly everything was around us in spite of the number of people in the room - babies, toddlers, caregivers, visitors, nurses, several doctors doing rounds. However, every 2 hours a large, loud handbell was rung to signal those caring for the children it was time to go to a central location at one end of the room to collect formula for the patient. 

We felt pleased that while we were there Rachel was willing to take a bit of a break and leave Abel in our care. And of course, we enjoyed the time spent with him.  

We were surprised though, when a diaper peddler appeared. We weren't quite sure what to do about that. Sanyu is required to supply Abel's diapers and diapers are on our shopping list for Sanyu but this seemed like a strange way to do our shopping. After some negotiation regarding the correct size and  with Rachel's help when she returned we ended up ordering 40 diapers (with a bonus package of wipes) at Abel's bedside. 

Barbara returned for us at about 1pm. Rachel gratefully thanked us for coming and we were on our way back "home". As we stepped out of the truck back at Sanyu we heard the words from a Chris Tomlin song being played somewhere: "Where you go I'll go. Where you stay I'll stay."

We're learning that God will show us each day where we are to go...but not always with a lot of advance notice. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1ohvhmGSfxI