Monday 10th October 2016

The morning after the night before (yesterday was independence day, hence much dancing and partying) we all sped off to the hospital. One of the highlights was being recognised by name and welcomed so much by the students we had taught last visit.

Frankie and Judy settled happily in theatres teaching the students some anaesthetics and theatre skills. Poole theatres would be proud of attempts at playing scrub nurse tutor! Lesley found her feet in the labour ward which was bulging with activity. Antoinette and Hilary set about teaching on their wards.

Peter in the newly refurbished neonatal HDU found a newborn baby with gastrochisis. This prompted a visit to the local supermarket to buy cling film to wrap the bowel up in saline soaked swabs prior to transfer to a hospital with more facilities. Though this was useful to demonstrate , very sadly this little one didn’t make it.

The evening cheered up with a lovely meal with Louis, well known to PAL, who is here for the day to teach paediatrics at the university along with Peter. Our other visitor tonight is Patrick, a local surgeon,and his family.

There are many south sudanese refugees here in Uganda, bringing sad tales of home.