Nyaburo

The snake was a Southern African Python. Can grow to 6m🤣. But not venomous. No more snakes. It’s actually only the 2nd one in 10 years. Another rough and rainy morning. A bit dreich. So meeting, breakfast then Dobble , The stowaway chickens were checked on and fed. No cock-doodle-dooing through the night! Late morning it calmed enough for a bouncy trip to the island and the throngs of residents. A lot of men. This explains the incidence of STDs- not enough women to go round. The children here seemed terrified of mzungos (white man). Mark gave an animated talk on the perils of alcohol- a big problem here. Folk listened attentively. Most of residents are sardine fishermen. Back to work for us. Nothing greatly exciting but always interesting. A lady 6mths pregnant- she thought and absolutely no antenatal care and still several partners🤔At least she was HIV and syphilis negative. Patients left and the boat was de-consulting roomed and washed down as efficiently as every day and we set sail back to Mwanza.
Approx 9 hours.
I haven’t mentioned the bottom of the boat where the dentist Herron age 76 works away tirelessly pulling teeth. Anna and Benjamin work away in the lab blood testing for malaria, HIV, Hb etc- all point of care tests. And microscopy of urine , and stool samples, brought in match boxes. Most of the patients bring both samples and are keen to get tested irrespective of symptoms. And there’s Aurelia at the well stocked pharmacy. Hardly a patient leaves without some drugs- I tried a few times and the patient just produces another symptom! The system works incredibly well and is impressive to watch. Patients crowd around everywhere, sitting or lying on the floor with no complaints Fascinating. What an amazing privilege to have been a small part of this amazing team albeit for such a short time. I’ve learnt loads, not least that I know very little of tropical medicine. I’ve experienced masses, seen fantastic teamwork.
So back to Mwanza by 2 am. It’s calm and a beautiful evening. But the marine team have a difficult job avoiding all the small sardine boats with small lights. Concentration is mandatory.Read more