Bundibugyo General Hospital...

Yesterday morning at 0800, Frank met me at Comfort Hotel to walk with me to the Bund General Hospital. It was about. 15 minute walk through Bundibugyo town. Already there were quite of few folk out and about. A few times we almost got hit by guys on moda-modas. It never ceases to amaze me of the way the people maneuver their wheels around here! It doesn’t matter if you’re walking across the road, you better hurry and get out of the way or you’ll be hit! Lol It was much like that in Bolivia, as well. But somehow, I didn’t feel as threatened there as I do here that I’ll get hit by a moda-moda! Always stay on the alert! 😆

The staff met outside around 0900 for a short devotional and to discuss the weekend happenings, concerns, etc. While I waited for Kasie, the nurse that I would shadow for the day, I walked with Dr. Jennifer, a Pediatric doctor who’s been in Africa for over 25 years along with her husband, Dr. Scott, a Family Doctor, to the NICU. We had to first remove our shoes and put in rubber sandles. I learned the the most common causes of newborn death within the first 28 days of life are premature birth, infection, asphyxiation (a condition of a deficient supply of oxygen as the result of abnormal breathing). Kasie arrived and she gave me a little tour of the wards. She usually helps with the nutrition program but they had enough help for the time being, so, we went to the maternity ward to assist where needed. She is an experienced maternity nurse and I have a great interest, so I thoroughly liked the idea of spending the day on the maternity ward! 😊

A mama was in active labor in the labor room but went to the room where mothers were either admitted with malaria, infection, recovering from delivery, or another ailment. I assisted Dr. Scott by taking the women’s blood pressures. The health system in Uganda is greatly lacking in many ways...Taking vitals is not seen as much as of an importance like we do in the US. I don’t think there was another blood pressure cuff on the ward other than the automatic one I used. Cleanliness/sanitation is lacking and organization is lacking even more. But yet, they make do with what they have to work with. It is common for staff to come and go when they like, sometimes leaving no nurse on the ward. There were so many things that I saw that went against my better judgment and learning from my amazing Nursing Instructors. I appreciated being able to discuss the health system and hospital environment with Kasie. Kasie, along with both Dr. Jennifer and Dr. Scott are doing great things for the Bundibugyo hospital and for the patients. I am sure many lives are spared because of their knowledge, skill, and compassion for the people of Uganda!

Kasie and I reached the labor room right after the mama who was in active labor earlier gave birth to a baby boy. Both Kasie and I were immediately alarmed that he needed intervention. The midwife was slowly tying the umbilical cord, seeming unalarmed that the little guy was blue, barely moving, and having difficulty breathing. Kasie anxiously requested for the baby, stating that he needed some resuscitation. Once she had him in her hands, the midwife said for her to weigh him. In both Kasie’ and my minds, that wasn’t near as a priority as making sure he was breathing normal and his color changing from blue to a healthy pink. But, in order to keep a good report, she quickly weighed him before moving him to counter space and covering him with a blanket. His nares were flaring and he had labored breathing. She rubbed his back and was able to get him to cry a little bit. We gave him oxygen and waited for his improvement! Once he was breathing a little better, mama held him skin-to-skin. The reason why he had asphyxiation was because the mother had a condition called, oligohydramnios, which is a very low amniotic fluid that is expected to be seen for the gestational age of the neonate. Thankfully, with some mama time, breastfeeding, and oxygen, the little guy’s color came back and he was quite awake and well! Success, thank the Lord!

I think the highlight of my day was witnessing a mother actually give birth to a beautiful baby girl! We returned to the labor room after helping in the other maternity room to check on the little guy born earlier. A laboring mama was about to deliver! Kasie quickly applied gloves and a few minutes later a healthy baby girl was born. Crying and moving before she was fully delivered! Everything went smoothly with the placenta delivery and both mama and baby seemed to be doing very well! Let me remind you, there is not use of pain killer during delivery! So, more power to these women!

I got to meet Grace, a girl who has epilepsy. She had fallen into a fire. As a result, her left side of her face was burned and completely loss of her left eye. She had a small square piece of paper covering her eye socket. Infection was definitely a problem. She had come to the hospital in order to get medication. Kasie and I walked with her to the eye doctor who could better be assistance to her. (I did not take a picture of her). Please keep Grace in your prayers!

Okay, enough of rambling about the day’s happenings, let’s see some pictures, right!? Right! 😊

At the entrance of the hospital grounds, a few tailors sew and sell face masks.

Right inside the gate, there are a few little shops where food, drinks, etc., may be purchased. Unlike hospitals in the States, the hospitals here do not provide patients with meals so they rely on their family to bring them food.

Wash ya hands before entry...

Pictures of the hospital...

One of the hospital’s stretchers...

Nurse’s medication/nursing skills courts...

Switching shoes...

Baby in the NICU. There was another part to the NICU that I was unable to take a picture of...

Labor and delivery room and bathroom...

Helping the little guy breath better...

Little guy doing much better!

Tying and cutting the umbilical cord of the newborn baby girl...

They use the rolled part of the glove cuffs to tie off the umbilical cord and use a sterile small blade to cut it.

Weighing the baby girl...

Bundling her up to stay warm and cozy! Suctioning a little more...

Nurses office/triage area...

Pediatric ward...Dr. Jennifer and another doctor in the distance in the second picture wearing white coats...

Maternity ward...

Last but not least, me and Kasie! Around 1300, Frank came back to take me back to Comfort Hotel, with a stop at Naume’s for lunch. Instead of walking this time, we got a ride with a moda-moda! It was much better than walking!

That’s all for now folks! Thanks for taking the time to view my post! Once again, thank you for the continued prayers and support!