Dr. Jennifer Wilson, in Ghana with a team of over 40 other medical professionals, continues to update us on their progress as she has access to technology and free time.
The medical team in Carpenter reports that they have been able to see record amounts of patients because the clinics are running so well. The team members are all working hard and are able to maintain the pace.
Here are some highlights from their experiences:
On Thursday in Yaara a three-year-old boy was brought to the clinic. He was very sick with pneumonia and they weren’t sure if they could help him or not. Joan Maguire, an IV specialist, was able to get him started with IV fluids. They were hoping to send him to a hospital but some of the translators and local medical personnel said that he would probably die in the hospital. So the team took him back to Carpenter with them and the nurses took shifts monitoring; Joan had to reinsert the IV several times. As of Sunday he was doing a lot better and they are planning for his return to Yaara.
Apparently this little boy is David Mensah’s nephew. Peter, the boy’s father and David’s brother, was in Carpenter for hernia surgery while this was taking place. At the church service on Sunday, Peter addressed the congregation and said that while he knew that the team was coming again this year, he didn’t realize that they would be coming just for his family. It was a beautiful time for everyone.
One of the area pastors, George crashed his motorcycle on his way to the church service on Sunday and was hurt badly. He did have a helmet on, but it was not done up so it did its job then flew off. Most of the damage was serious lacerations to his leg. One of the hernia surgeons actually specializes in vascular surgery and was able to stitch the wounds, including tendons, in Carpenter. The local medical people doubted George would have been able to receive comparable care in Accra.
The team had a good weekend, even fitting in some games and visits on Saturday evening. They are all looking forward to their remaining clinics before their return to Canada on Friday.