90 Minutes

On my first full day in Umphumulo (Sept. 6, 2011), I walked 10 minutes down the hill to the hospital hoping to meet a couple doctors and learn about how I could get involved there.  I didn’t have to spend much time wandering around; the security guard pointed out Dr. Pukana as he was walking across the hospital compound, and I introduced myself a minute after arriving.  Dr. Pukana is a short, thin man of about 30 with a little scruff of a beard on the bottom of his chin.  He was very excited to meet the volunteer who had replaced Val, and showed me his home, his family, and a half dozen other doctors.  We spoke with Dr. Parasztak, the medical administrator for the hospital.  She did her best to dissuade me from pursuing medicine when I return from the states.  This seems to be a theme among doctors I talk to…

A quick digression: South Africa has the highest number of residents infected with HIV in the world. KwaZulu-Natal has the highest percentage of persons infected with HIV in the country, and the percentage approaches 40 % in some places.  According to Dr. Parasztak, upwards of 90% of the patients that check into Umphumulo Hospital are HIV positive.  Now back to my tour. 

The first part of the hospital Dr. Pukana showed me was the Trauma wing.  We had chatted with a couple doctors and nurses for about 5 minutes when a young man came into the hospital with an acute asthma attack.  The doctors immediately started him on oxygen and nebulizers while Dr. Pukana started a line for IV meds.  The nurse brought him a package of sterile latex gloves, which he immediately tore open and used to make a tourniquet.  He put the IV in bare handed, turning to me afterwards and casually saying “In emergencies like these we don’t have time for gloves.”  I hope my shock didn’t show on my face.

After the patient stabilized, we visited the operating theater, the OB-GYN clinic, the pediatric clinic, the psychiatric ward, the ARV clinic, and several TB wards.  The x-ray and ultrasound were not being used because the power was out and the generator powered essentials only.  Our last stop was the neonatology unit and the birthing room.  Dr. Pukana stuck his head inside, said “Sanbonani” to the people inside, and ushered me into the room.  He as I stepped through the door, he asked if I had ever seen a birth before.  I hadn’t, but saw my first within 10 minutes.   I had my standard “Hi, I’m Steve from the US” conversation with a nurse as Dr. Pukana performed what probably could have passed for CPR on the pregnant woman’s stomach.

I headed back to the church center shortly after, but I have a feeling that I’ll be back.