Today we went to a different “community” in Moyo. Once again we were joyfully greeted with singing and dancing and even a drama presentation on Malaria by one of the local women’s clubs. The drama included one scenario where the patient went to the clinic soon after developing Malaria symptoms. This patient recovered due to early treatment. The second patient went to a witch doctor instead of the clinic. The treatment given by the witch doctor included a tattoo. As a result of the tattoo, the patient bled, became anemic and then died. The moral of the drama was the need for early treatment in a clinic. Certainly we all learned something!
Shortly after the drama we saw first hand the result of a young boy, about the age of 4 or 5, who had waited too long to get the necessary medicine for his Malaria. His high fever had caused paralysis in his lower extremities. We were able to witness World Vision presenting this boy with a wheelchair. Until then he had to be carried by his mother or crawl on the ground. It was a true blessing to witness the giving of this gift. This wheelchair brought dignity as well as providing for some of his physical needs.
We also met Catherine, one of three nurses who worked in the government clinic. She was dressed in traditional white with a yellow apron. She proudly took us on a tour through her clinic. The clinic is divided into a male room (4 beds) and an adjacent female room (8 beds). The beds are about 2 feet apart and a bit like the beds you might see at an overnight camp…the spring kind. The linens are scarce and most patients have to bring a blanket from home. Nurse Catherine shared with us about the supply vs. demand of medicines. We were especially curious as Malaria is a huge, huge problem in Moyo. There is 10 % infant mortality rate. This past month one child had died per day……eeek! The government does a fair job supplying the needs but due to the high prevalence it is difficult to keep up. Nets for over their beds are practically a basic need.
We met one man who was in the staying in the clinic who was being treated for TB and was nearly done with his antibiotic. Unfortunately, he was too weak from lack of food to return home. The clinic is not able to supply food, so food becomes the responsibility of the family. This man’s wife had died and he had no children or other family to bring him any food. He was rail thin and we all were extremely sobered.
There is still such a stigma attached to HIV/Aids. We were able to meet about 10 women and one man who had recently found out they were positive. They were doing well on their ARV (anti-retro-viral) medication. We were blessed to encourage them, tell them how courageous they were, and to pray for them.
Being a nurse, this was all near and dear to my heart. There is no comparison to how blessed we are with our health care in the USA and how much these people suffer. But the one common theme I have witnessed both in George and in Moyo is that “the joy of the Lord is their strength.” They are “trusting in the Lord with all their heart, with all their soul and with all their mind.” I have learned much from them and realize that it is not always about what we DO, but that someone from so far away is earnestly praying for them and cares for them and has traveled so far to encourage them, shake their hand, and call them by name. Please join me in praying for them!
(Barb Harmon)
No comments:
Post a Comment