The Chimala Hospital is a 120 bed facility. It houses an L&D ward, female ward, male ward and pediatrics ward. There is an outpatient department with 3 medical officers, a laboratory, surgery room, Community Health Center (which does ante-natal, post natal and well-child exams), central supply, pharmacy, x-ray and laundry. Once a week HIV patients are seen for follow-up care and counseling. Over-all a very busy place.
Having listed all the departments makes this hospital sound like any number of facilities in America; however, it is a far cry from the modern and technically advanced facillities you will find in the US. As I watch the staff and doctors working in this 3rd world hospital, I am reminded of scenes from TV shows like "Little House on the Prairie" and "Gunsmoke". Here we are diagnosing and treating with very limited testing and/or modern equipment. Doctors and nurses rely on their past experiences and basic assesment skills. The wards will have anywhere from 3-4 patients to 20 or more at any one time. There is no privacy with the beds only inches apart.
I have spent several hours in the L&D ward because in my 21 years of nursing I had never seen a baby born except on TV or video. I wasn't even able to see my own child born as I forgot my glasses and being blind as a bat could see nothing! Let me tell you some of the major differences I observed in this area. First, the expectant mothers walk themselves into the Labor room where they unpack the "linens" they have brought from home. Each patient must bring their own cloth to use for bedding and to clean up with as well as for the baby. The expectant mother must then make her own bed before she can lay down. Most people do not have "sheets" as we do for bedding. They bring a bag full of pieces of clothe. Each one is usually about 6' x 18' in length. They strip down naked and lay on the guerney awaiting the delivery of their baby.
No IV's are started for the "what ifs". You only get one of these for an emergency. Unless there is a problem with the mother and/or baby, the delivery is performed by a mid-wife. Doctors are rarely present for a routine birth. We do have the ability to perform C-sections if necessary and have actually performed several in the past couple of weeks. Once the baby has been delivered (which I might add is quite amazing!) and the mother cleaned up, mom is asked to get off the "labor" guerney and walk to her bed. The bed is again covered with cloth which the mother has brought with her. Chimala has been delivering an average of 300 babies per month and this is with an average nursing staff of four. However, the number of deliveries is really increaseing this month as the government has started a new program where there is no charge for deliveries in the hospital. This program hopes to improve the mortality rate for newborns.
The pediatric ward averages 475 patients/month; the male ward averages 400+/month; and the female ward averages 500+/month. If you will remember, when I listed the departments I did not mention a kitchen/cafeteria. The hospital does NOT provide meals for the patients. Outside the hospital compound is an area with space for about 20 fires. Family must come with the patients to the hospital and cook food for them. These family members stay as long as they have some one in the hospital. They sleep on the ground or on benches. They are not provided any "comforts" such as pillows, blankets, sofas to sleep on, etc.
Every weekday morning at 7:30am, patients, families and staff come together at a designated place and begin their morning with praise, prayer and scripture from the Bible. This devotional is not mandatory and yet the area is full every day. It is a great way to start the day with the sun just coming up above the buildings and everyone thanking our God for all our blessings and humbly asking for healing for those who are sick as well as for strength, peace, grace and mercy.
How many Americans would stay at the hospital to cook for their family member who was sick? How many of us would sleep on the ground with only our arm for a pillow without complaining? How many of us would work long hours without airconditioning? I think about the life I have been privileged to live and I think about the times I have complained about really silly things. If you live in the United States, no matter what your financial status is......you are rich. Please take time to look at all you have and Thank the Lord your God for blessing you.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
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