American team's 24 hour visit

Last week we had some visitors come to Maforga for about 24 hours. The team was made up of 5 nurses and 9 pastors from the United States. Their original plan was to run a clinic while they were here. Due to the Mozy laws requiring a local license to practice, they were unable to practice.

Instead, 8 members of the team split up into 2 teams of 4 and did home visits. Oh, it was wonderful. Brooke was still in Zambia, so I was unable to dispense medication, so we visited patients with the volunteers and prayed for them. Each of the three visits were very special. I think that the team really got a good feel for Home Based Care, even with no medication.

As we visited each patient, I was able to explain to the team how we integrate first world medication into a third world medical system.

The first patient that we saw was a follow-up visit. We had been working with the patient and the volunteers to first get a TB sample to the hospital, then provide transport for the patient to get the results and see the doctor.

Unfortunately he did not have the results though he had been to the hospital. He did however come back with a positive HIV test. As we continue to visit him, we will help him to understand what his diagnosis means to his life and his health. Next week we will provide transport for the patient to get the results of his CD4 count and hopefully he will obtain written results for his TB test. He returned from the hospital with basic antibiotics for a respiratory infection, but we really believe that he has TB.

Even though they were unable to set up their clinic, the team reported that they were pleased with their visit and felt that they had learned a lot.

This was a very special day for me.