The Changing Face of Kenya

Today I was really aware of how the Clinic has changed since my first visit.  It was unusual to see  adults  who weighed more than 140 -150 lbs or see many well dressed people, or women dressed in pants.  Many of the little children are now dressed in jeans, have ski jackets. The little ones still wear those cute bonnets.   In all people are better dressed and weigh more.

Today, those who had come to the clinic had minor problems, cough, "blocked" nose, stomach aches.  The thing with the stomach aches usually means  they have "worms" Of the many people I triaged only 2 were really ill. After looking at so many people with minor complaints a lady, brought in by her friend was  shocking. She was obviously very ill.  She had been ill for a month and apparently had been seen at another clinic.  I could hardly phathom that she had come to our clinic for care, as sick as she was and apparently being followed elsewhere. She was thin, her tongue was coated white from a yeast infection.  She was hot to touch.  Her temperature was 102.8.  It lunch time and I was told to give her some tylenol to carry her through till we got back and she would be moved ahead.  Thankfully, Dr. Elaine came by and said she would rather see her before lunch. It did not take long for her to recognize that the lady was dying of Aids. Apparently the lady had been tested for HIV but told she was negative.  We treated  her with some antibiotics and referred her to a place where  the Aids patients are treated.  I don't know if she still can be helped.  They do have  a good Aids programs here in Africa.

Interestingly, I found out that the dying man with Aids that was dropped at our clinic gates on my first day last year, actually survived that episode.  I don't know if he is still alive but we got him through one crisis.

It is good to see things getting better here in Kenya.

One of our MM asked the young volunteers what their impression of America was.  They said it was the land of opportunity, that Americans had lots of money and didn't have lazy people.  We did explain that we have lazy people in America, too.

An African Proverb ........ A man who helps dig a well should not be denied water.