UBCO Nurses in Zambia: Orientation/First Day at Lewanika General Hospital

Hello again!... disclaimer: this may be a little long-winded.

Well, the pace sure has changed in the last few days, and our eyes are more open...

Yesterday, we had a general and geographical orientation to Lewanika General Hospital and the Save a Life Clinic/The Zambia Project https://www.facebook.com/WesternZambia/ . The staff at the hospital were extremely welcoming. Along our tour we had the opportunity to visit the Lewanika School of Nursing and were welcomed by many first year nursing students. As a treat, Jessica (our instructor) asked them to sing for us. Holy smokes! Their singing was BEAUTIFUL!!! - they definitely put our Canadian voices to shame.

Next, we went through each of the wards in the hospital (medical, surgical, OPD [outpatient department/"emergency"], ART/HIV clinic, pediatrics, maternity, theatre ["OR"], eye clinic, mental health, female and male tuberculosis wards, etc) where we met with the head nurse and some of the staff. Everyone made us feel so appreciated and welcome! At first glance, it was apparent that our next few weeks would prove challenging but also provide us with unsurmountable learning.

Personally, I (Erin) have a niche for perioperative nursing so I was most excited to see the Theatre facilities. I am grateful to be spending my first week there!!! Within the theatre, Jessica introduced me to Dr. Songolo - he made me feel that my presence was appreciated and provided me with a calming feeling, which helped settled my nerves in this new environment. - THANK YOU Dr. Songolo!!!

After what seemed as a long day taking in our new environment - oh dear, it was still the morning... we jumped on the bus and headed to the Save a Life Clinic!

The Save a Life Clinic is so stunning, and is located right along the edge of the Zambizie Flood Plains. Dr. Nilene Van Velden greeted us with a very calming and accepting demeanour. You could easily see how passionate she is for her work. At this clinic they feed malnourished babies, provide HIV/malaria screening, house orphaned and vulnerable children, and teach over 500 students in classrooms. This visit was very inspiring. Originally, they started with a small pre-school class (approximately 20 students) and have added a class each year as their children have grown in order to keep them in school. This year they have progressed to teaching up to Grade 9!!! Also, we purchased the most BEAUTIFUL handmade paper beaded jewelry and quilted bags. The profits go towards Hope Art www.hopeart.co.za. On Monday we are heading back as a group to teach a First Aid course to their staff. We look forward to seeing them again soon.

Now for today......

I (Erin) had my first day in the Theatre and had the opportunity to follow a patient from the ward/pre-operative screening through surgery. This was a great experience as back home, we do not have the chance to follow someone the whole way through. But... all the books, stories, and videos could not prepare me for what I saw on the ward. Basic infection control protocols we must follow in Canada would, unfortunately not be an option here with the lack of supplies. However, what stuck with me the most was how resourceful the nurses are with what they are given. Also, I appreciated the trust that the staff had in me to be able to start an admission and head to toe assessment on my own.

Once I made it into the theatre I quickly assessed the environment and mentally made notes as to things that were different from Canada... The hospital and staff are given so few (almost no) resources and nothing can go to waste. For example, we had to go in between theatres to find the right sutures as there was not enough to stock all the rooms. BUT, although they may be working in less then ideal conditions, the staff were doing the best that they knew how and improvised quicker then I have ever seen. Additionally, the staff had GREAT attitudes and worked very well as a team.

While Erin was busy in the Theatre, I (Maggie) spent my first day on the Women's Medical unit. Due to my previous experiences on medical units, I welcomed some familiarity in my new found unfamiliar setting. However, I quickly discovered that this was going to be a far from recognizable working environment. I looked around to notice that the illnesses in which many of the patients were battling were entirely new to me. Conditions such as Malaria, HIV, Extra-pulmonary TB, and Meningitis were some of what I was seeing. Demographically, these patients were not my typical older adult population and ranged from ages 16-65 (this would be a very young age group to nurse on a Canadian medical unit). The staff was in short supply of a great many things that I consider essential in order to do my job at home in Canada. Items such as tape, gloves, alcohol… things I use countless times in a shift were in short supply. Also, as Erin mentioned above, what I quickly learned was how innovative and creative the medical staff here are. They did an excellent job of working with what they did have available.

Today we are overwhelmed in a great many ways but mostly are overwhelmed with gratitude. Today we feel incredibly fortunate to be able to access and work in a resource-rich healthcare setting.