Clinic in the Bush

Chanjowe is a very rural town fifty kilometers east of Mwami. It’s in the bush. Every Wednesday, Mr. Limwanya and the Eye Team goes on "outreach" to the rural villages, and the Chanjowe Health Post happened to be our destination today. We were quite busy, as we saw 56 patients from 10 am – 2:30 pm. From presbyopia to allergic conjunctivitis to senile mature catracts to post-operative follow-ups to corneal ulcers to optic neuropathy to retinal detachment to glaucoma – all examined and diagnosed with the naked eye, a flashlight, and an ophthalmoscope.

The toilet was an interesting experience – I had never before gone in a triangular hole surrounded by elevated foot markings.

When we returned to the Mwami Eye Centre, more patients were waiting for us. We have eight surgeries planned for tomorrow – four from today’s excursion and four from prior clinic appointments.

The Angs had us over for dinner again. Once again the power lines were malfunctioning – but only halfway this time – we were running on dim lights at 110 volts. Very strange. As we always say…”Only in Africa.”