No shortage of cute kids!


Some kids with external fixation, and others making good use of a linen trolley.


Some malnutrition kids on the road to recovery, and a close-up of the tell-tale signs of pale thinning hair and eyelashes.

Prems

The last few weeks have been busy on maternity, with 7 premature births in as many days. Here is RN/RM Grace with one of the "ka-dollies"

Paul

Paul came arrived from Congo while I was on my holiday. The first is a photo from when he first arrived, after falling in a fire during a seizure. The second 5-6 weeks on.


He became a part of the ward in the end, we even nicknamed him "Dr Paul" as he came on ward rounds with us and curiously observed procedures. The photo on the left he stands with a 19 year old boy who came in a terrible state with diabetes and made a remarkable recovery.

May madness

Back into work at Kalene after a 4 week holiday, it's been busy!

Last week Friday I went on a rural health centre visit.


The road there, and a mother with child standing in front of the health centre.


Please step into my office... the consulting room. Frustratingly, the clinic was out of stock of almost everything helpful, which made my job difficult!


Kids outside

Sachibondu

On my way back from Lusaka by road, I stopped at Sachibondu bible school for 4 days to spend time with Ruth Wallis and see the rural health clinic that she runs.

Ruth has worked in Zambia for more than 40 years, an inspiration!


Sachibondu is stationed beside a small lake and has a lovely community feel to it. I enjoyed my time there.

That holiday I had...

Seems long ago already! I spent a lovely 3 weeks in South Africa doing very little, which was just as I planned!


Climbed Table Mountain twice

Made the top by sunset and spent the night

Enjoyed the beach, and some trick photography

A happy ending


Zwao, a 2 year old on his day of discharge after 9 months in hospital, 2 major operations, and 13 rounds of chemotherapy.

Mens ward has been dealing with a lot of orthopedics lately... at one point I had 6 patients in traction! These three boys have fractured femurs. Some creativity is required for traction weights at times.


This man fractured his leg 2 years ago!! Yes, that IS the tibia bone sticking out.


Chris and Emma Houlden have now arrived from the UK, and Rachel Rodgers from Canada. I took them to the village to visit some friends from church for a bit of a cultural experience.


Peter and Astrida Kafweku (a.k.a. "Smiley Lady") were wonderful hosts. Chris had a go at pounding cassava, much to the locals delight (not a mans job!).


We enjoyed a meal of nshima and a selection of delicious relishes.


One Friday afternoon we visited the local school sports day. We arrived in time for the girls high jump. No landing mat! So obviously a different jumping technique is adopted.


Mamisa stayed with me for the first part of this year, which meant regular meals of nshima. Here she is cooking flying ants, which are abundant during heavy rains, and mixing the nshima as they traditionally do with the help of the legs.


The girls youth group has relaunched with great success, we've almost 80 names on the register and an average of about 40 girls coming each Tuesday afternoon.


I end this blog with a picture to go with a recent favourite quote of what Africa has to offer... "insects for the visually impaired". This man kindly brought this oversized grub onto the ward for us to see. (And no, the don't eat them... although I'm sure Bear Grylls would...)

Cute kids from childrens ward. Zwao is undergoing chemotherapy each week.


This man is half my weight!! Another case of TB.


Bonny was bitten by a snake. Snake bites are very painful but complications like this one are relatively unusual. Once the wound is granulating nicely he will undergo a skin graft.


Katendi had a mystery illness. He was admitted for many weeks with anemia of unknown cause. One day he took a turn for the worst and his heart rate dropped to 20bpm before stopping altogether. We assume he had a massive MI.


The latest intake of enrolled nursing students have just completed their placement on my ward.


Team "nsañu wanyi" - no problem. These girls are a huge talent at ultimate frisbee, the three on the right have all moved to go to school in other areas so we are missing them.


Mamisa has been keeping me company since my housemates left at the end of last year, which gives her a good chance to work on her maths and English. Another friend Mariah visits often and we enjoy nshima together. I'm also dog-sitting Rafiki for the Woodfields while they are away.


A baby chameleon! I was so stoked to find this cute little critter.