Pearls of an Oyster

Pakistan Floods 2010, Doctors Worldwide - Day 3, 10/10/10 - Doctors Without Work

It's now midnight. The cockroach in the bathroom has been replaced by two frogs & a beetle. The electricity's gone (again) so there's no way that either of us is going in there.

Today (Sunday) was a holiday. We went to Mardan's main market & bought some equipment for the health clinics. The hustle & bustle of the market was exciting. We visited a taylor who measured us up for a pair of shalwar kameez.

Abdul Wahab (who is looking after us) took us to his house (which is very big) in the village of Gandheri. It was submerged under the flood water. His wives & children (that explains the big house) are moving back in tomorrow.

Whilst there, we met a man who was in need of 'some' money so that his wife could undergo medical investigations. We examined her health records before agreeing to provide the money from funds given to us by friends & family. Expenses will be overseen by a colleage.

We are in the middle of a very conservative area where adult men & women are segregated most of the time. As you can imagine some of the villagers were more than a little perturbed when Ripon appeared on a rooftop to admire the village scenery! (ok it was an innocent mistake in his attempt for at a panoramic view of the village from above).

Tomorrow I'm going to work at the clinic. Other tasks include planning & helping to create a workable medicines management programme. This is going to take days. The medicines are literally 'all over the place!'

The Internet is still not working. I'm assured it will be fixed tomorrow. At least that's what Abdul Wahab tells me over a cold glass Mountain Dew & fresh hot samosa.

Pakistan Floods 2010, Doctors Worldwide - Day 2, 9/10/10 - What Tourists?

It's as if we left 'sleep' behind in England. It was simply too hot to sleep & the constant bites from mosquitoes were a reminder why I had to take my antimalarial medication. At least it gave us a chance to catch up on eachothers life stories, & yes we had a good gossip too lol.

I must have only slept for an hour or two. & if I hadn't suffered enough already, I had to shower with ice cold water! A few screams & splashes later & I was ok.

We travelled to the health clinics in Pir Sabaq & Gandheri. Doctors Worldwide has employed a number of young doctors & we have been asked to supervise them & offer training where neccessary. This will reduce our direct patient contact but free us up to manage other ongoing projects; cement distribution, water provision (wells), as well as completing key coordination & documentation.

We interviewed the new doctors to get a better picture of how the clinics were being run. We were told by our coordinator to be firm & to avoid smiling (he thinks the staff need a push in the right direction); we failed on all points.

There are huge differences between my everyday doctor/patient consultations & what I am seeing here. For example One doctor saw 90 patients in four hours which is unheard off in England. By comparison I would see 24. I appreciate the obvious difference in situations, but as much as there is to be pleased about (of what I saw), I believe doctors & patients have (knowingly or not) fallen into some bad (& possibly unsafe) habits. There were concerns regarding communication, explanations, instructions & safety netting etc etc etc. Most strikingly there is a clear lack of medical equipment.

Subsequently we have decided to provide staff members with a guide to 'good medical practice'. Additionally, public health material will be made available to staff & patients. We will provide both clinics with all neccessary equipment in the next few days.

Next we looked around the village of Pir Sabaq so that we could gain a better insight into post flood areas. Most houses remain uninhabitable after being destroyed. A single building shows the height of the flood (by a mark on it's walls). I'm told almost every other house was completely under water.

Amongst all the gloom large numbers of children were playing. Dressed in bright colours, some flew kites, others ran through the streets & a handful stared nervously at us, wondering exactly who we were. It was heart warming to see so many smiles on such innocent faces.

Next we filmed videos & snapped photos which will be used to promote our work. This is a new area which we find ourselves involved in.

We ended the day with a meeting to discuss ongoing projects & pencil in tomorrows schedule. The Internet situation is no better (& we need to contact uk headquarters!).

Pakistan Floods 2010, Doctors Worldwide - Day 1, 8/10/10 - Disaster Tourists

I could go on for hours about our struggle to get a visa so that Ripon & me could help the people of Pakistan (providing them with humanitarian & medical relief). However it will no doubt fill my heart with anger & end with undignified expletives, & so I shall bite my lip (for now).

With our visa problems finally resolved we arrived in Pakistan three days later than planned. We met Abdul Wahab; our trusted contact who was overseeing our stay. My mum & cousins also arrived to greet us. Excitement soon turned to embarrassment as one cousin began to interrogate poor Abdul Wahab on his credentials whilst the other commented on his beard, no doubt a not so veiled concern relating to the Taliban! They were also bemused at seeing a Bangladeshi in Pakistan lol.

After saying our goodbyes (to my family), we left for the recently flooded district of Nowshera. What did Abdul Wahab make of his interrogation (& of my family)? I preferred to block the fleeting thoughts that came to me. During our Journey we stopped for fruit juices at a bustling market in Rawalpindi. My my wife had advised me to avoid ice (because of the risks of water borne diseases), but in such intolerable heat I gave in to idea of a 'cool drink', quite easily. Later we dined at a popular restaurant in Kamra called Usmaniya, the food was great.

As we drove along GT road we came across the thirty or so NATO fuel tankers that were attacked by 'militants/jihadis' three days ago. It was quite a sight seeing so many burnt/burning vehicles. We witnessed children using plastic bottles to rescue fuel from the ground (be it to sell or to use) as the police stood by. With our security in mind we left the area as quickly as possible.

Wasn't this trip supposed to be about humanitarian & medical relief work (I bet your asking)? Well we did visit the Fauji Cement Factory. We ('Doctors worldwide') placed an order for four thousand five hundred bags of cement as part of the 'Building Nowshera' project. 327 families have been identified as requiring cement to help start the rebuilding of their homes. More cement was ordered for a hospital construction project.

When we arrived at our destination; a house/office in Sheikh al Maltoon (Mardaan), we were warmly greeted by the local staff (the most important member being the cook lol). We spent the afternoon resting, orientating ourselves with the accommodation, the staff & the locality). We spent the evening trying to establish a working internet connection but for now this will have to wait until tomorrow.

Right now I'm lying in bed under a thin sheet of cloth. I can hear mosquito's as they fly over me. I'm hoping they prefer the blood of the only Bangladeshi in Pakistan (Ripon). The electricity went out over an hour ago & without the AC the heat is unbearable. Speaking of Ripon, he's currently answering natures call, with only his phone for lighting. I don't think he knows about the cockroach accommodating the wash room!

I'll keep you posted on our progress.

Pakistan Flood

Please Pass on Link

Day 1...

Day 365...

"I Want To Be a Doctor To Help People" ... "I Want To Contribute To Society"... Well That's What I Wrote in My Application & That's What I Told My Employers!

Working as a Doctor Isn't Easy. Times Have Changed. There's Not Enough Love & Respect To Go Around for All of Us! 364 Days a Year... Patients Turning Up Late, Overstaying Their Welcome, Abusing Us Verbally (& Occasionally Physically), Being Demanding & Manipulating, Forms, Favours, Sick Note Sick Note Sick Note (Intentionally Repeated [for the Snails Reading])...

I Could Go on & on...

But Be Warned Patients of Mine... Today's the Day I Hit Back... Just Wait & See...

What's on (Today)?

Our Wedding Anniversary is on the 10th of May. No, We had a Big Party on the 19th of July!

A Romantic Trip Away on the 10th & a Card on the 19th, Whats Wrong With That?

Any Other Dates I Should know About? You Don't Have 2 Birthdays do You?

Threequel

Dear Diary,

I'm So Sorry I've Not Been in Touch... You Know There's Nothing More I Like Then Putting Pen to Paper... Unfortunately... My Wife & Newborn Daughter Have Had Me Slaving Over Them... I've Been So Busy I Just Haven't  Had a Chance To Continue 'Writing'.

But You Know What They Say; 'Out of Sight But Not Out of Mind'...

Ok Ok I Admit I've Been Enjoying Being a Proud Husband & Dad (To a Wonderful Wife & Gorgeous Daughter, Mashallah)... & I Confess I Haven't Had a Single Thought About 'Our Relationship'... But Then Tonight I Thought I'd Stop By & Check on You...

My My Haven't You Changed... All Grown Up... Improved Features... Colourful New Designs... You Really Are Trying Hard To Impress... Fine... I'll Play Your Game... I'll Give You Another Go...

I'll Start To Write Again lol

*Threequel = Sequel of a Sequel

 
 

    

Returned Call II - Advanced Features

  Leading on From My Last Post...

Why Stop at Phone Calls...

"Our Endoscope is Broken, But Luckily Nurse has Her Mobile Phone Camera... it's Quite Small" 

P.S. If Your Phone Rings in My Room... I'll Make Sure the Charger Goes in Too!!!

Returned Call

You Wouldn't Believe the Number of Times I've Sat Down To Listen To Patients Concerns, Only for Their Phones Go Off ! & What's With the Dance Music (Ringtones), all Cheerful & Energetic! I Mean Last I Checked My Patients Are all Depressed & Obese. The Irony is Killing Me! To Make Matters Worse They Always Answer, Have a Lengthy Chat & Then Apologise!

I Want To Pull My Hair Out!

Well Now I've Decided...

If You Can't Beat 'em, Join 'em!

Addiction

I Haven't Done Any Definitions For a While Now,
So Here Goes...

Craving = To Desire Eagerly, To Long For, To Want Greatly, To Require, To Beg or Plead for...

No! That's Not Me Addicted To My Laptop...
That's Me Trying To Work Whilst Withdrawing!

I'm Not Sure What's Going on With the Left Eye Though! 

All Eyes on Me

Bored!

I've Been Sat in This Chair Since 9am (That's 5 Hours)... I'm Not Amused... I Best Go Stretch My Legs Before the Next Lot of Patients are Due... That's if I Can Unglue My Bottom From its Current Temporary Residence!!

 

Just Like We Dreamed It

Come a Little Closer... Come a Little Closer
Turn Another Page in the Story of What's Waiting for You

Step into the Wonder... Step into the Wonder
Of Everything You've Pictured, as it Comes into View

Just Like We... (Oh) Just Like We... (Yeah!)
Just Like We Dreamed it!

Once Upon a Time Used To Be Long Long Ago
Used To Be Far Far Away
Look How Far We've Come Today

Once Upon a Time is Suddenly Right Here & Now
Right Before Our Eyes
This Happy Ending's Just Beginning & Much To My Surprise

It's Just Like We Dreamed it
As Far as I Can See
It's Just Like We Dreamed it
As Good as Good Can Be
& I Know it's so Much Better
'Cause We Dreamed it up Together
Just Like We Dreamed it, to life! Magically...

...

Bonjour

Exams

 

I'm Sick & Tired of Exams... Especially the Ones You Turn Up Late Too!!!

Flu

First it was Mad Cow Disease, Then (the) SARS Virus, then Bird Flu & Now Swine Flu!

If I See One More Patient Who Thinks Their Infected With the 'Whatever's on TV Virus'...  I'll Give Them a Flu To Be Worried About... 'Made in Pakiland'... Specially Produced at the Bottom of a Village Swimming Pool (aka the Village Sewage Collection)...

*

Fat Chance

Doctors Are Calling for a Tax on Chocolate To Tackle the Problem of Obesity... I'm Surprised...

(Why?...) Because at My Surgery Patients Will Blame Everything But Chocolate for Their Excess Weight. P.S. I love Chocolate (& I'm Slim*) & am Sick of Being Penalised for Other Peoples Lack of Disclipine! What Next? Health Warnings & Pictures of Obese People on Wrappers (as With Cigarettes)! Grow Up (no Pun Intended... Grow = Body Size lol).

NB = Obese = BMI over 30

   

Sex Ed

Did You Have Any Formal Sex Education at School?

Unlike Today (Where Kids Are Taught At Primary School), My Generation Didn't Get Any Teaching About the 'Birds & the Bees' Until... We Hit the Geriatric Stage!

Yup We Missed Out All Together! We Can Thank Our Parents for That! They Must Have Thought We Knew About it Already (Hence Their Calls for Extra Maths & Science Instead!).

Home Schooling for the Subject Was a No No. So God Knows Where They Thought We Learnt it From?

Pica

Pica = an Abnormal Appetite or Craving for Non Food Substances, e.g. Chalk or Clay.

I Was THIS Close To Joining in!

I Promise Never To Miss Breakfast or Leave Home Without Any Money, Ever Again!

Happy Valentines Day

Only 1 Day a Year To Get Showered With Love & Affection... Oh & Cards, Gifts & Chocolates...

Everyday Should Be 'Valentines Day'... With Lots of Cards, Gifts & Chocolates... (& a Few Surprises)... That's My Life!

Disclaimer: Costs an Arm & Both Legs. Think Before Comitting To Such Spending, Esp in Todays Financial Climate!

Octopussy

Perhaps You're Wondering Why I'm Writing About the Thirteenth James Bond Movie...

For Your Information I'm Not!

I'm Just Illustrating (in More Ways Than One), a Story I Read About a Woman Who Gave Birth To Octuplets.

...& Yes She Was Ethnic (So Make Them Babies Brown!)

 

  

 

Police Story

Burglaries & Knife Crime Have Increased by 4% & 18% Respectively. Alcohol & Drugs Are Major Contributors. Where Are the Police You Say? Take a Wild Guess... YES, an A&E Department Near You!

Today At Work, (A&E) Twelve Police Officers Were Needed To Restrain an Entire Army of ONE Person. Admittedly He Was as High as a Kite (on Drugs) & as Drunk as a Lord (on... What do You Think, Alcohol of Course!), but Surely a Couple Would Have Sufficed. Granted He Was a Baseball Hurling Maniac & I Didn't Much Fancy Treating Him but I Say Again, Surely a Couple Would Have Sufficed.

Maybe They Should Share Tips With Their Pakstar Colleagues of Whom a Single Police Officer Grasping a Magic Wand (That's a Crowbar Dummy) Would Have Been More Than Enough To Keep the Man in Order. This Method Would Free Up Tens of Officers  To Do What We Want Them To Do; Police the Streets (Unfortunately That Includes Bribes & Encounters for Our Pakstars)... Speaking of Crowbars, Where's Mine?

Another Beginning

Hey, Long Time No Write...

Well What Can I Say... Married Life Has Kept Me Busy (lol)...

However My New Years Resolution is To Return To My Literate Ways & Continue Being the Scribe I Once Was (lol)...

So Here Goes... Happy New Year!!! (No I'm Not Late; I'm 2 Days Early [Wink])