Glad I recertified in advanced life support

We had a rather disturbing moment at the hospital today. We a working on a research project on cerebral malaria in children, and had enrolled the first patients yesterday. As one of the medical students and I were standing at the foot of a child's bed, discussing how to obtain a urine sample, his mother began screaming and ran from the room. I checked on the child and he was in end-stage "agonal" breathing, but still had a pulse. The Ghanian resident ran in with a mask for ventilation (which I hadn't even realized they had), and started what I can only describe as half-assed recussitation. Not that more could have been done. The child needed to be intubated and put on a ventilator, but that just isn't feasible. They have one ventilator in the hopspital, in the operating room.

Enough of that. Aside from the frequent power outages today, I am still impressed with the care they are able to provide here, even with limited resources. And the resident's skills at IV insertion put mine to shame.

Today we visited the carving village, which is really just a suburb with a street of carving shops. Obrunis are quite popular there, but the vendors are less pushy, so it was almost enjoyable. However, histrionics still take over when you are bargaining. I am getting meaner. I still think I was overcharged a little for some things, but didn't pay more than $9 for any one carving. These are pieces that could go for $30 or more if purchased in the US, so who can really complain?


Recent tasty local cuisine: A stand in the hospital sells these delicious balls of fried dough, which are slightly sweet. I finally found out today what they call them..."doughnuts." Hmm.
Also, Castle Milk Stout. This is a local brew which, as the name implies, is like a Guiness, only a little less creamy. (Get it?? Milk stout??)

Recent Religious Business Name: "In Him is Light Chop Bar and Communication Depot"