“This is another nice patient for you” Amadou approaches me in the hallway waving some lab results. It is a joy to work together with the – mostly Senegalese – staff. Amadou is one of the nurses at the clinic Keru Yakaar, When I ask him about his dream for the clinic, he answers in silence. Since a very dedicated doctor left four years ago, he has been in charge of much of the medical care. With some 100 to 150 patients each morning, he is quite busy. People come from all parts of the city with a variety of health issues: children with fever, people with high blood pressure, skin problems, STDs, etc. For Amadou and a less experienced colleague to task to find a good solution for all these people’s problems.
But what about his dream? When Amadou just became a Christian he wanted to support his countrymen. Providing good medical care and sharing about Jesus, who has changed his live. Now it seems difficult to dream, he’s busy enough working. Nicolas, a nurse who dispenses drugs does dream: “We must become a hospital, we have enough space here to expand.” “It is important that we as staff are on the same line, that we have a common goal,” says the pastor of the clinic. “We should also start a prenatal care unit; this is a huge need in the city.”
I enjoy working with my colleagues. They are full of attention for the patients and are eager to learn. Currently I am the only doctor and that comes with the necessary challenges. I give teach and write protocols. Furthermore, vision and policies need to be are made. The nurses call me to come over for a very sick patient or when there’s a complex problem. Like Amadou, waving his lab results. It is a Taenia saginata, a worm of about 3 meters long, that lives in the colon, well that is not something one sees every day!
As I am finding my place at the clinic I feel like I’m at the right time in the right place.
