A day in the Mbale regional hospital

On my last Friday in Uganda, I was able to shadow a physician in the acute pediatrics ward. It was terrifying, but also an experience I am so grateful for. There were so many people everywhere, and babies screaming. The hospital is just so different from the hospitals at home, it really shocked me. I watched a tiny new baby pass away, and from that moment on, I think I was in shock a little. I saw a lot of really sad cases in only 4 hours, and I think the reality of the medical need here became real.  The doctor I worked with is an incredible doctor, he really understands the cases specific to Uganda and he taught me a lot. I learned so much about malaria and its signs and symptoms, and also saw cases of measles, meningitis, pneumonia, asthma, severe dehydration. . . Ah, it was all heartbreaking. So so heartbreaking. I am very grateful for the experience because I really learned a lot, but it was very sad. It's good though, for me, to witness the reality that many people face every day.   

I'm now here in Jinja, preparing to leave for home on Tuesday. I have a lot to blog about that I haven't yet mentioned, about more education and work in the clinic, but I'll write about those later. For now I'm just soaking everything in and treasuring my last few days here in the beautiful Pearl of Africa.