As we walked up to the ward, a woman was being wheeled on a stretcher from one room to another. She was pumping her fist in the air and cheering with a loud, “WHOO, WHOO, WHOO!” The doctors were laughing and I was confused until they told me she had just given birth! She was cheering and thanking God for keeping her and her baby safe.
Right away upon arriving at the Nutrition Unit, I could tell it was a happy place. The doctors introduced us to Sister Christine, who was a nurse very willing to show us around and tell us about the Unit.
She first showed us the intensive care ward, where the most severely malnourished patients are admitted when they arrive at Mulago. They are tube-fed until they are strong enough to take formula orally. They are moved to the Giraffe Ward, then to the Zebra Ward, as they get better and stronger. Once a child is taking formula well for a period of time, they are moved to the outpatient facility just up the hill.
Giraffe Ward
This is an essential part of the program. The children are weaned onto solid food while the nurses work with the mothers to establish a sustainable feeding regime. In the meantime, the children can play on the playground or in the playroom in the facility! The patient is only discharged once the nurses feel confident that the mother knows how to keep their child healthy.
Dad and Grand Challenges Canada Program Officer Karlee Silver with Sister Christine
It was a beautiful place full of children receiving the care they needed. But most inspiring was the commitment and passion I could see and hear in Sister Christine’s eyes and voice.
No comments:
Post a Comment