Actually did some work this week ! Matt and I sorted out the dispensary storeroom, which took a bit of doing. The Kenyan government sends new supplies of drugs and equipment every three months, regardless of whether anything is needed - hence discovering a microscope (??), an autoclave (?????) and an amazing assortment of other stuff that would be very useful if there was such a thing as electricity, a laboratory (although I could run up a fine thick blood film !), or, for example, NG feed to go with the NG feeding tubes..... The useful stuff, like multivitamin tablets, and HIV tests, were conspicuous by their absence. I am waging a personal war with Cecilia and Naomi. I take the shiny new pedal bin out of the store and put it in the clinic, to replace the rusty bucket we currently use, and Cecilia or Naomi put it back "to keep as it's new". I sneak round the back and put it back, throwing some cotton wool in it to make it look used, the next day it is back in its box in the storeroom....it is war, and I will win ( I just need to adjust my tactics....) .
Some nice well-meaning well-wisher sent some bicycles for the community health workers this week - five shiny "sit up and beg" bikes. Only problem is they all have flat tyres already, there are no pumps and no puncture repair kits. The "roads" here are shocking - rubble and red dust - there is no way they will last more than five minutes. If only someone had actually come here and asked what was really needed instead of coming up with bright ideas that are completely useless - sorting out a system for getting rainwater to the water butt for the clinic would be of more help - or finishng the incinerator so there is somewhere for the safe disposal of sharps. Both of those would probably have cost about the same. Added to this, the fact that the Maasai were born upright, walking long distances.....
Had a good day in the clinic today too - have learnt most of the drugs so was able to see two patients at a time, alongside Cecilia -I am trying to walk "the middle way" and am still refusing to give antibiotics to those who clearly have to need for them, but am considerably more free with my Penicillin injectons than before - bearing in mind that it is probably covering a multitude of minor infections.....
Finished work and went to the village to people watch this evening. It was bustling by Saikeri standards. The odd person is dressed in "town clothes" (but usually with a Maasai wrap over the top ), but the majority are in full Maasai regalia, with some glaring incongruities...the elderly lady with layers and layers of wraps, ear lobes nearly touching her shoulders, beads upon beads upon beads round her neck, fumbling around amongst the material, to produce a mobile phone playing the Nokia tune (Oh the temptation is great to shout "I'M IN THE MARKET !!!"). The young Maasai warriors, in ever so short red outfits, with black socks pulled up mid calf and a pair of sensible shoes. Tradition is certainly meeting the modern world here in Maasai land, but it's taking its time.
Heading into Ngong tomorrow to catch up on the internet - and stock up on some treats for my last week here - who knew a chocolate digestive could cause so much anticipation !
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