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october camp report
'We had our first baby delivery in the Clinic which was well managed by our female HCW.
This baby was spared the dangerous consequences of un-sterilised instruments normally used here by quacks
plus herbs that might lead to serious infections such as tetanus,which used to be a common occurrence
here .With effective health education on a constant basis to the women in the community on immunisation,
breast feeding,nutrition and other heath matters there has been a drastic reduction in infant mortality and
morbidity.
The mother of the new born baby had an argument with her own mother in the ward over the feeding of the child,while the grandmother of the baby insisted that water should be added to the breast milk.The mother of the baby resisted and insisted that she was only going to practice exclusive breastfeeding which she learned here in the Clinic.They were subsequently discharged at night the next day because it is believed that if a certain class of people happen to set their eyes on the baby before it is one week old,the baby will die' Dr Oghumu 14/11/08
Terminal Tetanus from an earlier camp |
From the same camp we began active immunisation of all
women of child bearing age , and those already pregnant. |
PATIENTS SEEN IN THE CLINIC FROM 27/9/08 TO 08/10/08
ANC 8
children 92
females 19
male 11
cases attended to in clinic
Diarrhoea 11
malaria 92
skin infections 11
Ear infections 1
measles 1
Pneumonia 16
eye infections 3
Deliveries 1
Home visitation was also carried out and the elderly were treated. Suspected cases of HIV were seen and
lots of wounds were seen in the Clinic. The second half of the month saw 190 patients treated, the above
breakdown just to give a flavour of cases seen. Records are kept of each patient contact.
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From the encouraging mother cited above we still find many cases of Traditional Healing, a practice that remains contentious, for some an alternative science and culturally indigenous to the Ijaw and other parts of Africa. For others it represents witchcraft and superstition, with practices that are both ineffective and cruel.
From our own perspective there are certainly herbal poultices that seem to prevent infections spreading but in the main these methods appear synonymous with suffering, mis-diagnosis and preventable death, and we continue to educate against adopting such practices.
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This month has also been busy in triage and preparation for our joint surgical camp set for the end of the month.
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