So, it's been a few days since we last had internet access, so we need to make up for lost (blogging) time. Much has happened since we last posted. Below is Wendy recounting some of her experiences. Now that we are back online, I'll try to post again soon.
Yesterday, I (Wendy) rode along with a couple of the missionaries to a village health clinic. Here, people from all around come to be seen by the "foringy" (not sure of the spelling, but it means foreign) doctor and nurses. They treat medical illnesses and wounds as well as run a prenatal clinic. I helped a little by using the Dopplar to hear the baby heartbeats. So cool! They did a few procedures (drained a hip abcess, rehydrated a sick little baby, removed skin from a lice infested scalp, to name a few) before they dispensed medicines (charging under a dollar for most medicines for the week). We ate lunch and then headed out to another part of the country where there was rumor of several cases of large spleens, possibly the result of a disease involving the bite of a sand fly. The area we drove to was down the mountain to the lowlands. It was a beautiful, scenic ride on a VERY bumpy gravel road and it was very hot when we got there. Made me appreciate the cooler air up in Soddo. Our team was amazed at the number of people that seemed to be affected by the disease. The nurses and doctor drew blood from about 30 people to test for the disease and they'll test the blood back at the hospital. A good public health project! While we were there, the doctor found a young man who did not look well, very anemic and had a large spleen as well so he came back with us to the hospital. Hopefully, he will get the treatment he needs there.
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