Carleton Polk’s Blog

10-25-08

I am wrapping it up here in Zambia now done w/ my INMED learning clinical which was my main focus for coming to here. I look back at what my expectations were before coming to Zambia & what actually took place. Not exactly the same & not fully realized[the expectations] until after being here. I do not believe everything can be seen in a month’s time in terms of health problems to observe & learn from. I started out in a new culture, language[tribal language], a whole new part of the world. Simply put, a different way of life. My goal had been to be a student & learn as much as possible. That aspect of it did not change but I see more clearly now I must add on to this desire. Yes it is the technical but  also the experience itself which conditions a person to be more capable in a similar environment such as this. It is one of life’s building blocks to stand upon.

To all of you who have that supported this mission experience w/ your prayers & financial support, thank you so very much.

God Bless,

CP

Prov. 16:9

This a photo of me & staff members at Mushili. 

10-18-08 / @ Mushili

Another week  done & wow! By the way, it’s 105 degrees F in the sun now at 10:00. They said it would get hotter & no lie,it did.

We saw the usual chief complaint[s] at the Mushili Health center this week as I said before, the time of the year brings forth these ailments in Zambia. However, new things this week included abscess & a GU problem I have only read about; Schistosomiasis. The patient presented w/ Hematuria [blood in the urine] & urine sample was spun down to reveal, under microsopy, evidence of the problem causing his Hematuria. This is not an uncommon problem in Africa, Asia, & S. America. Briefly, it is passed along to humans via skin penetration  from fresh water snails as a “carrier”, if you will. The good news is the health center has the appropriate medication to treat such a condition.

A good portion of our patients have been infants & young children. Along that line, the topic of what types of vaccinations are provided has come up in conversation w/ one of my mentors, Mr. Mulenga. He tells me that DPT OPV, BCG [for Tuberculosis], & Measles are the routine vaccinations provided to children seen at the health center. We had a birth mid-week at the health center [which missed by x 1 hour!]. The mother was brought to Mushili on the back of her husband’s bicycle & was nearly ready to crown according to the nurse who delivered the 3 kg. baby boy. The baby was born at 09:00 during an uncomplicated L&D as the 4th child of this mother & at 16:00 same day she & her newborn were placed on a short bus ride back to their village. I have picture proof. She & baby were ready to go & I was informed this commonplace, amazing!

On Friday, I spent time w/ Dr. Amwape [prounced AM-WA-PE] & saw patients along w/ him. He tries to be at Mushili weekly to see more difficult cases that come through the door. We saw mainly HIV positive & TB patients & a baby 6 month old girl w/ probable Torticollis which a condition where a neck muscles are contracted & the head is drawn downward. It may be related to birth trauma & the mother started to notice the problem at ~ 3 months of age. The baby will be sent to Ndola Childrens’ Hospital for further evaluation.

A side-bar to the HIV treatment in Zambia. According to Dr. Amwape, the HIV meds are now able to be obtained on a regular basis as he mentioned America’s contribution to the AIDS crisis in Africa. Just thought some in the states might be wondering about that.

Have a good week

God bless,

CP

At Mushili week one,10-11-08

Well,a couple of weeks in country now & starting to adjust mainly because of jet lag hitting me a good one.I am feeling more comfortable w/ my role at the Mushili Rural Health Center outside of Luanshya,Zambia.Adapting to a new culture,different communication skills need to be acclimated to & then hit the ground running.The Center is an ambulatory Health setting w/ the patients coming from the surrounding area mainly by local bus transportation.The AM hours are quite busy for the Center.

This is the dry season in Zambia & we are seeing much of what they expect to see such as:C/O coughing,sneezing,conjunctivitis,URTI’s.Also,in combination w/ the aforementioned or alone, we see abdominal pains[can be related to intestinal parasites],pregnancies,HIV patients,Chicken Pox, & Scabies.Fever,joint ache,coughing can accompany Malaria & we are treating for Malaria every day.

The Center is resource poor [w/some diagnostic equipment] so they make diagnoses primarily on patient history & clinical presentation & alot of experience over the years.My mentors are are good & cooperative w/ me.I am learning & eager to continue on this path.

Below is a representative sample photo of most of our patients at Mushili this week & yours truly.

Take care & God bless,

CP

OCT 4 08

A ~21 hour actual flying time & almost the same in layover time as well crossing 6 time zones & a missed flight but I made it to Zambia.Temp in the mid 90’s w/ humidity in 20 % range.Sorry, no photo yet but will work on it. The internet is a little slower than dial up which can make sending photos a bit of a problem.I should start Monday at the Mushili Health Center.This is for ambulatory patients.My mentor at the health center will be a Zambian nurse for the coming week.I also have a good probability of doing another part of my rotation at Roan hospital in Ndola.This will be under the supervision of a Zambian physician and they look forward to my going there which is very gracious I think.

All take care & God bless

ready,set,you know the rest…

Leaving 9-30 as planned.Hope to blog when I’m there ,perhaps this weekend. Amen &  God Bless.

CP

to mushili

Preparing is always 99% for a trip.I depart for Zambia 9-30-08.

God Bless

Carleton Polk

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