One thing is clear: In order to actually change something in a meaningful way, one needs to fully understand the current system. And one sometimes must work in a current system so one can understand the setbacks, frustrations, and limitations. Or, in some cases, one may choose to just flat out circumvent it. I think I found a happy medium between flailing in the system and complete circumvention in which I learned something valuable.
This is interesting as I went on what I like the call the "Great Pen Search" (GPS), trying to get enough pens for this very important survey I wanted to do. I need about 30-35 pens to do my job each day. Ok!
Let's just say that the GPS started over a week ago in one place and brought me to about 5 other people, and at the end of yesterday, I still didn't have sufficient pens after many emails, meetings, and respectful confrontations. I even went up to storage where supplies are kept and they said they could not provide pens for me because I did not have a formal requisition. Womp.
I even asked, "Should I buy pens? I am willing to go and get them right now!" One of the nurses laughed at me and said, "Don't buy pens!". Then I said, "Where are the pens that we ordered?"
The nurse said, "They have not arrived yet". When they did finally arrive, that
glorious moment when I found out these coveted pens had finally arrived, I asked for the key to the closet they were in. Devastation set in as I looked frantically around and I could not locate them. Then I asked for more help in locating them (this was a very busy clinic day, mind you). They were slightly hidden in the secret, locked cabinet and as they were doled out to me, they were counted meticulously, even though they were supposed to have been ordered for my surveys. They gave me about 12 pens. I needed 30-35. So you know what that means- there
STILL weren't enough.
Needless to say, there was much angst amongst staff for my use of their pens and patients taking them after they were finished with them (purposefully or not).
Deep breath.
I kept pushing to get sufficient pens through the institution, seeing who I had to talk to to make this happen. This whole problem could be solved with less than $5.00, but I was thinking I needed to set the precedent that I will not pay for work supplies out of my own pocket. However, friends, it reached a point where it became
absolutely necessary to simply buy pens to keep progressing with the survey. And damn it, I did. Best 10,500 Shillings I ever spent.
Some may say I caved, but I truly examine these questions in the context of my job: Why are pens so hard to get? More seriously, though, looking at the grand scheme of things, I think my job will help to improve these type of systems, and if not these, at least the patient care side of these systems, which is far more important. I realize that I had to experience this to see how important my job is. So for that, I am grateful. And as a bonus, I am the owner of many pens.
Currently at JCRC, I am doing a survey on client waiting time with the help of a great Luganda-speaking team (I wasn't getting the results I wanted speaking with my weird US accent). So far, we've surveyed about 120 people, and we are going for 200. We want to see how long certain parts of people's clinic visits take, where there are hold-ups, and how we can make those areas run more smoothly. Of course, after we intervene, we will reevaluate to see how our interventions worked. Also, I was approached to work on the quality control aspects of a big HIV study at JCRC and potentially get published! I will work on this one day a well while still pursuing my main goals of working on infection control and improving quality on the Ward.
A women came in today in extreme pain, burns up and down her body. The treatment she was receiving was on a dirty table with dirty linen-not the best thing for an open wound for an immunocompromised patient. There were no supplies readily available to clean her wounds, and there was nothing I could offer her but a glass of clean water. She looked really ill and about to keel over, but was, for the most part, pushed a bit to the side. I was ready to bring her to the Ward, but the nurse stopped me and said that the patient could not pay. I was wondering how she knew this without even talking to the patient. She explained that this was a private clinic, and because she could not pay 40,000 shillings, or $16/day for a Ward room, she was refused Ward entry. In cases like these, patients are sent to a public hospital in Kampala. While she could get treatment in a public hospital, there is no guarantee of quality treatment or any type of medications she might need, even any pain medications. That was difficult. In "public" lies an inherent sense of lower quality, even though the government really tries to provide free health care to all.
I was talking with my coworker and head pharmacist Bernard again (one who asked about my hair last entry and how I deal with it) and he just has really interesting things to talk about. Yesterday, I talked to him about Rwanda and how they drive like we do on the right side of the road. Seeing there is a road from Uganda to Rwanda, and Uganda drives on the left side of the road....how does that work when crossing over from Uganda to Rwanda and Rwanda to Uganda? You actually switch road sides at the border. haha! I think it would crash in 2 seconds if I had to do that. Also, he offered to drive me to Kampala today to get passport photos for my work visa, and we got pulled over for "speeding" (no speed limit signs were anywhere to be found and we were
not going fast). After a little sweet talking and 5000 shillings, we got let loose 10 minutes later. Wow. I am NOT in 'Murica anymore, friends.
Other news:
August 15, this Friday, marks 1 month for me in Uganda. I'm getting settled in well, I must say. To celebrate my new place, I had a housewarming party and so many people made the effort to come out. It meant a lot to me and it was just so much fun.
I am deep into the medical school application process. I have a few more secondary applications to complete before I can honestly say the waiting game starts. Wish me luck!
I have also been discussing future trip plans: Kilimanjaro, Masaimala in Kenya, Kidepo National Park, Queen Elizabeth, and more. Purchased flights and a 3-day pass to Lake of Stars, a music festival on Lake Malawi, for the end of September.
http://www.lakeofstars.org/
Also, I officially gave up my Low Income Burning Man ticket for this year. Sad day for me, but happy day for someone that can use it. And it makes me look even more forward to AfrikaBurn in April/May.
I'd like to wish a restful peace to Robin Williams. I really enjoyed his talents he shared with me and the rest of the world. One-of-a-kind individual, that's for sure.
More soon!
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| A new friend I found in my house |
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| My housewarming party Saturday night with very my very expressive GHC friends (and their friends/my new friends!) |
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| GHC Team Uganda! © Wil Matthews 2014 |
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| Happiest day of my life: When pizza was delivered to me that was pretty decent near my new home. |
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| Setting up for the housewarming with some new and random snacks I found in the supermarket (and, of course, Slap Ya Self spice) |
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| Uganda's take on Werthers, pumpkin seeds, and G nuts surrounded by my Peruvian bracelets from Escolástica and one I bought in Huilloc from the weavers |
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| Friends in the living room! |
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| DJ Devin |
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| Graham, Kim, and Julius |
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| Sam and Devin |
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| New Bahai friend! |
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| Full house! |
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| Sharon and Graham |
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| All smiles for Sam and Chiara |
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| Silence |
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| Sejal, Sam, and David |
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| Best guys ever! |
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GHC training closing dinner photo with new friends
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