day at the clinic

When I was in Beira I was able to go with Brian Meyers (a fellow WorldVenture missionary) to the hospital. He teaches medical students most mornings then spends time in the afternoons at the clinic. When we first arrived he showed me around the hospital. We then made our way to the classroom that he was going to lecture in for the morning. It was as I expected. A modest room with desk and a white board. It even had an air conditioner! We hooked up Brian's computer and projector and students started to come in. It was interesting how much I was able to understand, since in the world of medicine most portuguese words are very similar in English. 

After the lecture we walked a ways to go to the clinic. Once we arrived Brian introduced me to several of the people that work there. Something that I wasn't expecting was for the clinic to be so nice. I was informed that it is because Americans fund and run this particular clinic. Local Mozambicans are able to come to this place for medical attention at a very cheap price of 1 met, which is less than 5 cents. 

We saw several different patients throughout the time. Most were women with their sick babies. Some people had strange symptoms and had to take a malaria test. Most of the children had some sort of anemia. I was grateful that I didn't have to witness any graphic procedures or situations. I was even able to take the vitals and check blood pressure. I am grateful that a place like this is available in a place where health is sometimes hard to come by and sicknesses are even harder to treat. 

Living here has made me more aware of the effects of diseases and lack of treatment. AIDS is a simple fact of life for most people, if not directly then through a close relationship. It's a different reality than in America. This hospital is the central hospital and serves all the people in central Mozambique. There are only two other hospitals of this type in the whole country, which is four times the size of California! Patients who make it to the central hospital almost always have a serious problem and have most likely already been referred from the local, to the regional, and finally to Beira. Chances are they will have to go through some intense treatment or may not live much longer. It is a rough life, something I have a hard time imagining even though I see it before my eyes.

Getting ready for a professional day in the white coat at the central hospital.

Patients waiting to be seen at the clinic.