neighboring community of Jaibon. We depart at 0730 on rented shuttle
buses (size of Airporter), arrive shortly after 0800, and are usually
seeing patients reach providers (as opposed to registration and health
screening) by 0900. Today we saw around 325 patients in our clinic of
6 provider stations. We have two peds, two family practice, and two
women's health/general med provider tables.
We were set up in a single room church today, and similar to
yesterday, were treated to a great experience thanks in no small part
to our host. Yesterday's school principal, and today's church pastor
were so gracious and helping. We cleared the room of pews, which we
set up outside as our waiting benches at screening, pharmacy, and
waiting room (under a tree).
We're seeing many children with viral illness and nutritional
concerns, either insufficient nutrition, or improper consumption (many
rotted teeth amongst a handful of clients). The physicians are seeing
their patients one after another, until the break for lunch or the
wrap-up before dinner. But they are providing all the aspects of care
they'd provide in the States.
Parents are receiving information on recognizing dehydration, the
importance of oral health, and the benefits of breastfeeding. Patients
are being screened for high blood pressure and high blood sugar, and
are receiving education and counseling as such. Diabetes and
hypertension are major players in Dominican health, and are important
to address in order to minimize further health complications in the
future.
The stickers have been hugely popular with the kids, and are only
overshadowed by toothbrushes. I thought that stickers would be king,
but travel packs of brush and paste can bring the house down! Today
Kelly witnessed a child in utter distress when all of her siblings
received toothbrushes, and she somehow failed to receive one. Kelly
dug through the bag of toothbrushes, and unearthed a princess
toothbrush, chasing after the family down through the churchyard to
deliver the brush. Needless to say, baby stopped crying, and now has a
princess friend to brush with!
We returned from the clinic, tired and very dusty. We cleaned up a
bit, had a great dinner (rice, beans, chicken, pineapple), and then
listened to Bryson's highly entertaining "History of the DR."
Ironically, as he began to talk about evil (Columbus, dictators,
slavery), the power (lights and mic) would kill. Initially highly
entertaining, eventually kind of distracting. But he did a great job,
and wrapped it up so we could watch a movie (In the Time of
Butterflies) about the end of the Trujillo regime. Excruciatingly sad
movie, especially to watch in a group.
When the movie ended, we were treated to birthday cake on behalf of
three volunteer birthdays this week, as well as to celebrate being the
largest (# of volunteers) health clinic ever!
I rounded off the night by washing my scrubs (and Kelly's) in the
bathroom sink with my trusty bar of Ivory soap. They are now clipped
to the interior ceiling of our tent, and are dripping all over me (and
this phone!). I am covered in mosquito bites, despite my obsession
with Sawyer's bug cream (this stuff must be sugar water, I swear).
Four per kneecap, four and three on the arms, respectively, and more
than I can count on my hips, calves, ankles, and bare feet. Some are
merging, like the skeeter sat there, ate, rotated, ate again, and
continued this pattern for a full 360. Dengue fever, here I come!
I now know what banana fields look like, and the damage caused to the
human body while harvesting the bananas. These men of the community
are all strong, built, and well kept, with backs that are failing them
40 years too soon. The cute elderly men have the faces of a 50 year
old with bodies that age them.
Tomorrow we'll be headed out to Monte Cristi, where the other health
clinic group of 200+ people is staying. We'll tour the town, stimulate
the economy a bit, visit the orphanage in Monte Cristi, and have lunch
at a local restaurant. After lunch we'll head to El Morro, the beach
near Monte Cristi, for an hour or two there. It's ~ 2 hours from
Jaibon, but we'll be back at dinnertime.
As I type thus, there are sounds outside that remind me of home, and
South Africa. There is the chain of dogs barking messages across the
valley, like in Indian Valley. There's a cow (maybe a few) nearby, as
it occasionally moos and snorgles. I think I hear owls, but there are
many nocturnal birds around, as they trill from trees just beyond the
bathroom. Some of them sound like an amplified screech owl crossed
with barn owl chicks, while another is indescribably non-song like.
Hope to find a lovely bird soon! Saw piggies today; I miss piggies!
There are bumble bees here that would fit nicely in a teaspoon, but
don't appear overly aggressive, just commanding of the air space
around ear-height. Big, furry, and black, they've been freaking out
pansies all week long. Awesome.
Off to bed!
Sent from my iPhone
No comments:
Post a Comment