Technology Update
Last week was a great time to refocus our work. After connecting the phototherapy lights to a different incubator system, we were able to see an infant with jaundice discharged within a few days. Before it would take two weeks for the old phototherapy lights to work!
He’s happy – on the inside.
On Tuesday, Melissa and I had a special treat: our mentors from Rice flew halfway around the world to check in on us and the other interns. After sitting down with us, they gave us great ideas on how to focus the use of our technologies.
For several projects, I’ve realized that I have been perhaps too narrow-minded in how these technologies can be used in the hospital setting. For example, remember my angsty post about how the Length Board was not received very well in the obstetrics ward for newborns? Nurses preferred their old method of measuring an infant by hanging him up by the ankle, even though our technology provided a more accurate system. After talking with our mentors, they suggested we introduce the Length Board to the pediatrics ward, who could use it to measure stunting and the degree of malnutrition among children. Sure enough, the Pediatrics ward is a much better fit: not only could they use the Length Board for each patient, they have the nurse-to-patient ratio required in order to operate our device. After demonstrating the device in this ward, we received a warm reception and they excitedly agreed to implement using the Length Board whenever they can.
The other technologies are doing fairly well. The lab technicians are happily using our battery-powered centrifuge (the dremofuge) when the power goes out – which is just about everyday. The dosing clips have already been integrated into the laboratory, and the phototherapy lights are brightening the nursery. The SAPHE pads will be deployed the next time a woman gives birth, and Babalung will soon be monitoring every infant breath as soon as a pre-term baby is born.
Now, we wait.
A Test of Patience
I guess you can say that we may have been spoiled the first week or so after we arrived. For whatever reason – perhaps because we had so many doctors that we had to meet with, Melissa and I were busy minute to minute. However, we’re now encountering greater challenges even in making appointments with doctors and counselors. There have been mornings where we’ve sat and waited for doctors for hours. We have also been turned away multiple times to be told again and again to “come back tomorrow.”
It can be frustrating, but it’s alright. There enough things to do that at least we can work on side projects while we’re waiting on a few people.
Traditional Medicine
One of the most interesting dynamics that we’ve learned about is the dynamics of traditional and Western medicine in Lesotho.
For thousands of years, the Basotho have gone to local healers, who would perform certain ceremonies and then give them a mix of natural herbs to cure them. Often these healers play a positive role, since they provide the only healthcare access for many people living in remote villages.
After more and more hospitals were built in the mountains and foothills of the country, many Basotho choose to go to both their healer and the hospital.
One of the struggles for those working in the HIV program here in this hospital is that people will consult the healers when they suspect that they are HIV+. Interestingly enough, the medicine that the healers use to reportedly “cure HIV” actually temporarily eliminates the antibodies to the virus. The problem lies in the fact that HIV rapid diagnostic tests detect the presence of those antibodies. That’s why these patients actually will test “negative,” when they are in fact HIV+.
Greater community education and outreach are needed so patients can make informed decisions the next time they hear about a “quick fix” for HIV.
In Conclusion
There’s a lot to do, but we’re making headway. We’ll keep on observing and learning and doing what we can!