Leave Approved

My team at Gundu Health Post - From left to right - Me, Pabitra (interpreter), Head of the Health post committee, Admin staff member (I never quite got his name), Sunder (health assistant), Suntali (midwife, tea maker, and health assistant)

Before I came to Gundu I was expecting to arrive finding a small hut to serve as my clinic, and no staff. I was pleasantly surprised to find a well-run and newly built health post with several health assistants and administration staff as well as a well-stocked dispensary with commonly used antibiotics and other basic medications. The health post itself actually consisted of a room to do dressings in, an administration room and dispensary, a “family planning” room, and two consultation rooms.

It was really enjoyable working with such a great team – they were always smiling, their energy never flagged even when patients overran the waiting room, and they brought me sustaining cups of tea when my energy flagged! The main health assistant, a gentle giant called Sunder, was really knowledgeable and and a great help to me.

My assistant was the lovely Pabitra, a college student who spoke good English. Pabitra had the advantage of youth, with boundless energy and enthusiasm. It wasn’t an easy task being a medical interpreter, especially without any formal training, but with some direction from my end she came through like a trouper.

On my last day, the health post presented me with a certificate of thanks, which I found really touching. It was really simple for me to fit in as the doctor here – things ran very smoothly after we ironed out a few issues on the first day. The nearest doctor is at least an hour’s walk away, so I hope that in a small way my being there for ten days made some kind of a difference.