Arriving at the hospital

After a relaxing few days at Lake Kariba we set off for the hospital, wondering what challenges we would face. Turned out our biggest obstacle was getting there in the first place! 17 hours later, at 1am, we pitched up at the hospital entrance and fought through the darkness and the gales to find our home for the next six weeks.  Waking everyone from the Accommodation Officer to our new housemates maybe wasn’t the best first impression!

In the bright morning sunshine we could finally see where we had arrived and were given a tour of the hospital. Pictures don’t really give a sense of the feeling of the complex but have a look and see for yourself J. We learned the local greeting – a three part handshake – and met most of the staff at the hospital. We’re all rotating through the Medical and Paediatric wards while we’re here and have the chance to see patients in the Outpatient clinic in the afternoon. This is not a typical clinic as people walk for miles to attend and you see everything from diabetic reviews to people being stretchered in and immediately admitted to the ward.  We’re slowly picking up some useful phrases in the local dialect, Chichewa eg “Muli bwanji?” which means ‘How are you?” but fortunately sign language and sound effects are universal!

Our evenings have been filled with dinner with the other students and doctors in the Mess and watching Broadchurch with our housemates (bets have been taken as to who the killer is – don’t give it away!) if the power is still on. There’s something quite cosy about sitting around in candlelight but the bucket showers are taking a bit of getting used to!