Medical Clinic in Tefaya

Heather Quinn

Today was the first day we had a hot shower and it felt great! We've learned to adapt and take quick cold showers. It was after a long 9 hour day doing the medical clinic in Tefaya. We were greeted by 100 patients ready to be seen. We unloaded and set up our supplies/meds quickly and got started. I was at the pharmacy station with Isatu who is a native TBA (traditional birth attendant). She was the 'pharmacy tech' working with me and served as my interpreter. She learned quick. Vicki and Kirk started seeing patients. 

Vicki and I switched about half way through. We saw a lot of tropical illnesses like malaria, possible schistosomiasis, and intestinal worms. We also saw other chronic conditions like asthma, HTN, and GERD. There were some other cases as well like abscess, broken bones, and hernias. I saw a patient with a basketball size inguinal hernia. He worked in the diamond mine for years. He was added to our hernia repair program list. We've been keeping track in each village. I followed up with four men who had inguinal hernia repairs in Aug/Sept of 2013. The surgeries went well. The incisions are all healed and not painful. They are moving their bowels normally. I video interviewed the first man who had his hernia repaired. He said, 'thank you and thank God for you.' He's referring to Jericho Road and our presence in Sierra Leone. He was smiling ear to ear. I might have seen two active cases of TB vs Pneumonia and told them to go to Koidu hospital for TB testing. We saw well over 100 people and didn't leave until 8pm. Olivia had a great and successful day in the village interviewing people and getting the tour. We made the 1.5 hour ride back to Uncle Bens. 

What hit me most today was that people walk for miles to come seek healthcare and medication. The will wait for hours to be seen. Phebian told us that they will often forgo seeking treatment bc the drive to Koidu is long and expensive. Then when they get there they are not guaranteed treatment or good care. That's why they flock to us when we arrive. They trust us and our care plus the relationship Phebian has with the villages is credible.  I can just tell in their faces that they don't feel valued. I wanted to cry as I watched Isatu explain medications to an elderly gentleman who held them in his hands like they were gold. These medications were so precious to him and he listened intently to the directions on how to take them. The children that came through seemed so serious and as soon as they received a lollipop, their faces lit up. Kids are the same everywhere. I'm distraught at the injustice and exploitation of the Sierra Leonian people. Phebian says that the diamond mine does not guarantee payment after a days work. People could work all day and never get paid but since there is no other option, they will take that chance. It's just so unfair. It makes me want to do more to help and pray harder. Thank you for the prayers. We definitely need them. We are tired today but doing well overall.