Tuesday, 12 May 09 - 17:30I found out what is meant by 'Rainy Season'!

Chapter 2 of Physiotherapy in Africa by Anna Ferguson

The last few days have perhaps included some of the most bizarre experiences ever, but all interesting! ...

The end of last week was spent trying further to organise my physio programme while I am out here. It is beginning to come together, although is taking time. I applied to the hospital to work there and that was accepted which was great, as I think this may be where the most work is.

Having my 'rest and recreation' at the weekend, I had half thought of doing some of the tourist things, but when I was invited to along to a typical Uganda 'introduction' ceremony, I thought that would be more of an experience! And it was!! I went in full African dress, although funnily enough still stood out, and after driving for an hour to a tiny village arrived at the ceremony. Being the only white person in more than 200 people (not including the local villagers that had gathered) was quite embarrassing!! It got more so, as I was taken in front of everyone to visit the 'African toilet'(!) and even more so when I carried gifts in a basket on my head and placed them before the bride's family.

There was lots of food, although due to a power cut, it was not possible to see what I was eating for a lot of it! It was a good day out, and very interesting to see just how different traditions have different ways of celebrating!

On Sunday I went to the village church, JCC (Jinja Christian Centre), where the service was over 3 hours! The church met in an outside temporary building, and I was made to stand as I was visiting for the fist time. In the afternoon I took myself to a hotel with a pool (very rare) for some relaxing!

I found out on Sunday night what is meant by the rainy season!!!!

The rain poured all night and there were such strong storms! I was informed that things slow down (even more?!) when it has rained!! I headed off to the Act4Africa office through the red mud where we waited for around 45 mins to be let in by someone with a key! I spent the day at TASO (The Aids Support Organisation). I was helpfully given a tour of the facilities and quite impressed to see the organised departments and facilities. I ended up in the pharmacy department where I counted thousands of septrin tablets into bags of 28. This was not the most stimulating of jobs, but I tried to maintain a serving attitude! I do not know how much physio work there will be at TASO as they do not have a physio there at present.

I was put in the aromatherapy department in the afternoon where I tried to explain that aromatherapy and reflexology are different to physio! I am there next Monday, so should find out whether there will be work. I got back to the house to find there was still a power cut from the storm the previous night, so a very dark evening was spent reading by torch and eating by candlelight!

More rain on Monday night, and still no power on Tuesday morning! In a funny way it reminds me of camping! I spent the day at JCRC (Joint Clinical Research Centre) and put on scrubs for the first time!! I sat in all day on a doctor's clinic, and although only saw one patient for physiotherapy, the doctor was great at explaining things and I learnt loads.

It is taking a while to get into the routine of things here, but I am beginning to find out which areas should have good potential for physio work, or which may be quite limited. I have realised I'm a person that likes things done quickly and to be very organised, so am learning to slow down and not become frustrated with things here!

Anna x

Thursday, 07 May 09 - 09:00Arrived .. and in one piece

Chapter 1 of Physiotherapy in Africa by Anna Ferguson

Anna Ferguson begins an exciting, physiotherapy based medical elective and gets a real taste of Uganda ..

I arrived in Jinja at lunchtime on Tuesday 5th May, after flying from Heathrow, via Nairobi to begin 6 weeks working as a physiotherapist with Act4Africa.

From my induction, and talking to friends who have been to Uganda, I had a certain idea of what I might expect, but it wasn't until I got here that I realised how different things are.

After surviving the drive from Kampala - and learning that there are no rules on the road, I was welcomed by the Act4Africa team. I then had a brief meeting at TASO (The AIDS Support Organisation) to try and arrange when I would be able to start there. The meeting was positive, and I am due to start there next week. I was welcomed by William, to the house I am staying in, which is more Western than I thought, but with definite differences to home!

On Tuesday, I felt quite overwhelmed by everything - settling into a totally new culture, new town, new work and with new people, but am really excited at the prospect of getting involved and hopefully being able to make a difference.

Yesterday (6.5.2009) was a busy day! I was exposed to many different things and given a real taste of Uganda!
Before I left England I was informed there may be some difficulty working at Jinja Hospital, due to regulations etc., so we attempted to meet the medical superintendent this morning.

After an hour of waiting, he was not available, but I was able to meet Margaret, a physiotherapist working at Jinja Hospital. The physiotherapy department was a stand alone building, with very basic facilities and worn out equipment. I spent an amazing couple of hours observing patients being treated and becoming familiar with the referral processes. I was then taken to a surgical ward.

Although I have seen documentaries on television and spoken to friends about their experiences, it was only when I saw the ward first hand, the differences became real. There were around 60 beds on this one ward, split into male and female sides. The beds were rusty and old, with patients lying, covered in old blankets. There were a fair few flies around and I even noticed cats roamed the wards!

Slightly different to the 'infection control'policies we have drummed into us in the NHS!

Nonetheless, the Staff were so friendly and welcoming and were very professional, obviously working hard to care for these patients with quite basic facilities. I could talk lots about many things I saw, but from a physiotherapy perspective, I saw a small outhouse, where a local trader makes the wooden crutches for patients, as these are a lot cheaper than the metal elbow crutches.

After an almost English lunch at Ozzies, I was taken to JCRC (Joint Clinical Research Centre) out of town. The drive there was amazing, seeing total poverty in some of the smaller towns/ villages just outside Jinja. The setting of JCRC is unique. The new building stands in the same grounds as the town built for factory workers and their families. Here, people queued at the water supply, children stood naked, playing with old tyres and small wooden houses appeared very crowded. The Clinical Research Centre were also welcoming and although they were not sure of the exact role of a physiotherapist in their clinic, were very happy for me to work there, probably one a day a week to help how I could.

After surviving both a trip on a boda boda (paying the right price, going back to the right place, and ending up in one piece) and being taken to an evening market (wow - how bustling!!) I feel like I am quickly being immersed into Ugandan culture.

Some working arrangements are yet to be finalised, and although I naturally feel a little daunted, I really can't wait to get involved properly!

Anna x


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