Right now we are in the rainy season which is good because it means it's cooler and greener than the rest of the year. It's still hot since we have no air conditioner, but actually doesn't seem as hot as MS. This is good for our comfort, but not for the health of the people here because it means malaria season for them. In fact, the majority of the patients we have inpatient have malaria. The other major diagnoses are snake bite (lots of them!), typhoid fever, pregnancy and wound infections. I had never seen a single patient with malaria before coming here, but I'm quickly becoming an expert! The pediatric wards (ages 5 years and under) is overflowing. One day there were 59 pediatrics patients on that ward alone!
Most of the kids get better quickly (1-3 days) and go home on oral medications, but some can get really sick with seizures,anemia and even die. The malaria parasites live inside the red blood cells and cause the cells to burst, thus the anemia. We give lots of transfusions here which is surprising considering the patient's family must supply the blood. The lab determines the blood type and the family must find a compatible donor. If they can't find a donor there are people who sell their blood which can sometimes cost as much as the entire hospital stay.
The whole blood donation process here really makes me think of how we are condemned to die without the blood of Jesus that saves us. It's a great opportunity for us to share that truth with people.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
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