Swept under the rug

Death. In the United States it is a topic that is rarely openly discussed, frightening and a topic swept under the rug. We don't like thinking about our own demise and usually cringe when we hear about the death of another. In Zambia and throughout Africa death is a topic that surfaces daily because it is dealt with daily. A few days ago I had my first true experience of third world health care. Needless to say I was shocked with feelings of distresses and concern for those receiving medical care in Zambia.

The city of Chongwe is located just outside of the capitol, Lusaka. We ventured out to the Chongwe clinic unaware and unprepared for what we were about to discover. This particular clinic was funded by the Zambian government. However, because of corruption this clinic receives very little financial support for needed medical supplies. Many of the Funds are pocketed by government personel before they are received. In turn the clinic has extremely poor equipment supply if any. I couldn't even locate a pair of gloves. In addition to scarce medical supplies is shortage in staff members. I would estimate there were 8 on their "medical staff" with hundreds of patients begging for treatment.

A young child with third degree burns covering her face, neck and arms airway began to close from edema and swelling. No medical staff member even took a second glance. They had no idea that the child would be dead in a matter of hours. This burn patient was lying side by side with a tuberculosis patient coughing sputum into the air. Two beds down from them was a child quickly falling to the fatal demise of malaria. The infant was poked nearly 7 times in attempts to withdraw blood. The child did not cry, whimper or flinch; he was too far gone. The solution to all of these assorted medical problems? An IV of normal saline. Death. It is no alarm to ring here. It is not an avoided topic. The pain and the sorrow that effects the hearts of the loved ones of the deceased is no different than what you or I would experience if someone we loved died. But here, it happens. Often.

By the time lunch rolled around I was in tears. My heart ached and throbbed. It has taken me the past few days to collect these thoughts. I'm still working on a conclusion...