 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Dr. Rosie Labrador: My one-month stay in Cameroon was quite an experience! I thought I was mentally and psychologically and spiritually prepared as to what to expect but to be right there to experience first hand the poverty, the severity of the illness, the medical inadequacies as well as staffing shortage were the realities I needed to confront. My first pediatric ward rounds with Dr. Olga Tomofeara (the pediatrician from Ukraine) opened my eyes to the extent of malaria in the country. Every child almost always has to be treated for it. On top of this, many more are suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, secondary bacterial infection, (pneumonia, meningitis, etc.) and suppressed immunity. At one time we had 4 children with lobar pneumonia with effusion necessitating chest tubes for proper drainage and resolution. Every ward was like a pediatric intensive care ward with children on I.V.'s NG tubes, blood transfusions and multiple antibiotics. I've had 2 incidents of pediatric deaths secondary to possible poising from concoctions given outside by "traditional medical practitioners". These children were in shock by the time they came to us and despite all our efforts they died with in 24 hours. My nursing experience in the OB department still gives me occasional nightmares after dealing with 5 preemies 1 with only 2 isolets working and only 1 tank of oxygen available for the whole department. It surely was an agonizing decision to choose which one would get the continuous O2 supply. Despite the expertise of the nurses in inserting I.V. and NG tubs for these tiny infants, we still lose some of them because of staffing inadequacies especially during the evening shifts 9 pm to 7 am. We were able to use all the antibiotics, vitamins, analgesics, ointments (sterile, antifungal antibiotic) eye and eardrops, bronchodilators I brought for the missions. The Franciscan sisters managing the hospital as well as the parents of the children were most grateful for the help. I came back feeling I didn't do much to alleviate the sufferings I encountered but I was determined to help by rounding up supplies to send to the hospital with Dr. Olga and the pediatric volunteer nurse, Grace Gonzalez to handle the supplies I am reassured of their proper use. I will continue to pray for all these African children as I have prayed for them each day of my mission stay in Shisong. The chapel there was a big source of comfort for me when feeling down from being so inadequate in dealing with the illness before me. Hopefully with the educational materials, advice and teachings I gave to the nurses, students, parents the outlook for pediatric care may improve someday. Children all over the world are beautiful, most precious and deserving of the best care we can provide. I am surely glad I went to Africa, thanks for the Opportunity! Most sincerely, Rosie Labrador, M.D. P.S. Dr. Leo Brown and Dr. Kevin Murphy were such wonderful doctors, excellent surgeons and most enjoyable housemates! It was my pleasure meeting them! |
3435 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1035, Los Angeles, CA 90010 • (213) 368-1875 • Fax (213) 368-1871
E-mail: missiondrs@earthlink.net
E-mail: missiondrs@earthlink.net