Friday I had the opportunity to go to Mulago Hospital with a young German woman, named Tami. We met at Wentz Clinic a week ago when we were both volunteering there. She is a recently graduated midwife and came to Africa a few weeks ago to see if it might be a place for her to come back to in future years after she gains some experience.
Yesterday was an eye opening adventure for both of us as we toured the Obstetrics and Gynecology departments in the largest public hospital in Uganda.
The hospital was founded in 1913, so next year will be their 100th anniversary.
In an average year they see 140,000 inpatients and 600, 000 outpatients. I think these figures may need updating
They do have a private section which is very well equipped and vastly different than the public section.
We started out in the area where they see gynecological emergencies. The doctor there was so overwhelmed she barely had time to say hello. We peeked behind a screen to a big open ward with no privacy curtains separating the beds and saw lots of women in various stages of undress and heard occasional moaning sounds.
We then made our way though labor and delivery. As we went the doctor told us that there are 30,000 deliveries per year, or between 80-100 per day!!!!!
Any nurse reading this, especially if you have worked in this area, can now pick up your jaws form the floor. They average 20 Cesarians daily. In the main operating room they have 2 tables as very often there are 2 C- sections going on simultaneously. Sometimes there will be 30-50 women and 2 midwives on a ward.
Since there are far more patients than beds, the women can be seen on mattresses on the floor in the hall on just about anywhere there is room. I counted 15 beds in one section that was originally meant for probably 8 maximum. Women are told to bring at least 5 prs. of gloves as staff can't provide them. They must also furnish their own large waterproof pad on which to deliver. Many times due to lack of staff a woman will be unattended for her delivery. I could go on but I think you are getting the picture.
We felt somewhat dazed as we left and hurriedly made a dash for the car as the rain started pouring down. We had lots of time to talk on the way home. In fact this was the worst traffic I have ever been in. We left the hospital at 3:45 and 2 hours later we had only gone 1.5 kms. It was unbelievable.
We saw some interesting sights as we sat in "the jam" as it's called. This creative guy has figured out a way to carry the frame for 2 small sofas on his bicycle in the rain!
A good part of the 2 hours was spent alongside the golf course. I guess there are some hearty golfers here who won't be deterred by an occasional downpour.
These long horns can't have been to happy in the jam either. They were not able to move at all, horns were locked as they were tightly packed. It's hard to tell but there is a goat up on top with a few riders.
They looked entirely miserable.
After being stuck in the car for 2 hours and the possibility of another 2 looming large ahead we made a decision to pull off and get a snack before the final push for home.
Not to mention the need for "short call" sorry to be graphic, but this is the term used for a visit to the loo or a restroom break.
I certainly did enjoy my cappuccino and chatting with Tami about her family, her faith and life in Germany. Exhausting, but interesting afternoon.
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