On day three, the clinic is settling into being a well-oiled machine. In the first couple of days, a number of referrals were made for further investigations – for example, chest x-rays, blood tests. It was very heartening that today a number of these people returned for follow-up consultations, indicating that a rapport has been established with the local community.
One of the extra elements we are adding to this clinic is the collection of basic data on the numbers and types of conditions presenting. This is in order to assist with planning of future medical team visits to Eagles Wings. For example, several cases of Malaria came to us today, including some quite young suffers.
Whilst we have all read about the devastating effects of AIDS on the community in these countries, we have seen this first hand in the patients presenting for treatment. There are very few patients in the age range 35 – 55, which is the age range which we have heard has been decimated by the disease. Another interesting observation is the joy which the locals derive from what we may see as a fairly hard, joyless life. All our stereotypes of Africans having rhythm and harmony are totally justified – they rock! Again, we were invited into the Eagles Wings staff devotions this morning – they burst into spontaneous song, and it was perfect in rhythm and harmony from the very first note, until we joined in!
