« My Village | Main | Monkey Play »
I Went To Nairobi Hospital
By Harmony | August 3, 2009 | 9:46 pm
…and all I got was this stupid second-degree burn.
Apparently, I have a higher threshold for pain than I thought.
I had quite the adventure today. In my first experience in the Kenyan healthcare system, I learned that:
- Paperwork can vanish into thin air. And no matter what you say, it will always be your fault.
- When your paperwork disappears, it will be up to you to magically reproduce it before any services can be rendered.
- To reproduce paperwork, you will need to go to at least three departments and talk to at least ten people, speaking two languages. And still, the only thing that will be produced is a blank stare.
- Lab technicians are overworked and cranky.
- It’s embarrassing trying to explain to a male tech that you need a more modest robe because you aren’t wearing any underwear.
- Sometimes, flattery will get you candy.
- Your appointment will always start at least two hours later than the scheduled time.
- Your nose will always itch the moment you are in the MRI machine and the technician says “Now don’t move, whatever you do.”
- A little kindness goes a long way to getting what you want.
- Physical therapy feels like a 5-star spa service when you haven’t been touched in 8 months.
- When the therapist instructs you to take as much heat as you can bear, perhaps you should take it down a notch or two from there.
- Cake is always a good end to a long day of appointments.
Tomorrow, I do it all again. Looks like I’ll be going back all week for PT!
Topics: The Work |
August 12th, 2009 at 9:22 am
How did you burn yourself and why am MRI? You’re not suppose to learn about Kenyan health care.
August 16th, 2009 at 5:16 am
I ‘enjoyed’ you writing. Its interesting to read about what you are going thru. Since I have traveled so much, some of what you are going thru is what I have experienced. But don’t kid myself, your hardships are much more than mine. I mean, spending weeks in the back country of Vernal, Utah or weeks in the back country of Budapest, Hungary, is certainly not the same as what you are going thru, but stll, its nice to read about how frustrated you are at having a poor system.
I found myself saying ” yes, I understand how frustrated she is.”, but I do know that I don’t understand, because you are in such an underdeveloped country.
Is there anything we can do to help you?…Money wise??
We can’t give much, but if we send you some money,, could you buy something for the families? Could you personally decide to give something to someone? Let us know.
Thank you for writing to us ( sort of), and we read you conversation when we can.
Oh, about Donna (mother of Steve):
We now live in Massachusetts -I think you know that. Donna’s parents (Steve’s grandparents), just had their 60th wedding anniversary (August 6). It would be impressive if you send them a card.
Whatever happens in the future, remember that I enjoy your ramblings.
Aloha, and thank you for giving us such a detailed description of what your day is like. Keep the detaills coming.