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A total of 151 patients were seen across two satellite camps at Ekogbene and Esama communities. This figure does not account for the clinic attendees at Enekorogha.
'The august camp was from the 10th--14rh and 24rh-28rh,two communities were visited by our mobile boat clinics, Ekogbene and Esama
We saw the usual cases from malaria to respiratory tract infections,though somehow there has been a slight reduction in the number of children attending clinic, despite this being the season when there is an increase generally in illnesses especially malaria
Anytime there is a reduction in the number of children that attend the clinic we see this as a bad health indicator.We therefore always try to find out why this is because from our knowledge of the area not less than 30 children among a population of about 15,000 are sick on a daily basis'...... Dr Oghumu
Two reasons accounted for perhaps a lower turn-out than normal. The rains are heaviest at this time of year making the paths very muddy. The Cassava season is also in full harvest the tuber based crops planted six months earlier, and unless picked briskly have a real risk of being ruined by the rains. Hence many women and children are at their farm.
Cassava is the staple crop and a rich source of carbohydrate. The unprocessed tuber is high in cyanide and fatal unless properly soaked and roasted. Interestingly the cassava leaves are rich in protein, but encouraging use of the whole plant for a balanced diet has not been successful.
Cassava is one of the few cash crops and therefore widely grown.
As is our policy now, when attendance is low we undertake home visits across the community.
'we had earlier seen a case in the clinic who was supposed to return for his evening malaria injection,but the overzealous grandmother had taken him to a native healer where he had received all sorts of concoctions,and we even witnessed as he was treated with a razor,and his wounds rubbed with a very dark powder, usually charcoal. This reliance on native healers is engrained in the culture, and unable to help on this occasion we have to continually educate in a manner sensitive and respectful to the culture'
(library photo of same procedure from earlier camp)
We are actively visiting every family to ensure they have mosquito nets and understand the threat of malaria, and undertook vaccination to pregnant mothers and children. This month we are actively seeking women of child bearing age between 15-45. Despite our presence in the community over two years now, there is still hesitancy to engage with public health initiatives,
but home visitation does at least engage people on their own territory which is breaking down barriers.
A case of Rickets identified on house visitation. Such cases can derive from malnutrition,
diarrhoeal illnesses and helminth infections that reduce absorption and hinder skeleltal
maturity.
Vaccination on home visit
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A case of Sickle cell disease flare with acute joint pain and swelling |
Our panic that with the rains there would be insufficient sunlight to power the solar
vaccine fridge have proved unfounded. Though the batteries are not fully charged
there is adequate to keep the system going.
We collected a number of samples of diarrhoea during our July camp that have now been analysed. Evidencing heavy helminth infection they certainly support the continuous program we undertake to give anti-helminth treatment to all children. The results will be posted next month should you be interested, well we will be..
Wet road home...
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