People and children die every day from treatable illnesses such as malaria and respiratory infections. Malaria is easily treatable with $5.00 worth of medication available over the counter, and fluids. However, Malaria is still the number one killer in Africa. To us, $5.00 seems a paltry sum, to those who don't make that amount in a month, and have families to feed, it is impossible to come up with.
Parasites are another medical issue that is easily treatable with medication. The majority of children suffer from worms, which grow inside of their stomachs and can make any attempt at helping with food and nutrition become insignificant as the parasites absorb whatever the children eat.
Ugandan hospitals are incredibly different than those in the Western world. I visited Mulago Hospital, in Kampala, and spent a day touring and visiting with patients. I have written about how deeply I was affected, and will post those writings, soon. For now, though, it was one of the darkest, and most heart wrenching places I have ever seen. Although there are incredibly gifted doctors and nurses, they often suffer from frustration - whether it be having zero pain medication or only two working respirators - and the power may go out.. I saw family members physically operating a hand respirator - with no signs of any other one coming - cancer patients with no cancer fighting drugs available.. women giving birth on a concrete floor, a tiny baby one mother handed to me with spina bifida - hoping I would take her with me to help her before she died - there were no options for surgery.
One interesting fact about Ugandan hospitals is that they do not provide meals for their patients; instead, the family or friends are expected to bring them food. If there is no family - there is no food. A patient could literally die of starvation.
This is just a snapshot - so much more to tell..
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