Baby Blues

We started off our practicum on the postnatal ward at Lewanika General Hospital. The postnatal ward is an area of the hospital that cares for women and babies after delivery, readmission of sick infants under 28 days old, and a neonatal intensive care unit. 

During rounds with the doctor, we noticed how sick many of these babies were on this ward. We were particularly concerned about two babies this week, both presenting with neonatal sepsis and severe dehydration. Our nursing intuitions told us all that these babies required nursing support and care from us. When we assessed the first baby, we noticed his skin was very dehydrated-it was scale-like and tented when pinched.  The heart rate and breathing was very fast, and a pulse could barely be felt, the baby was very sleepy, did not cry or arouse when handled. It was then that we knew that this baby required fluids in order to survive. We tried to assist the mother with breastfeeding, this was challenging for several reasons. First, the mother did not speak english and required her neighbour to translate for us. Second, the baby was so tired and weak, he  could not breastfeed. As an attempt to hydrate this baby, we fed expressed breast milk with a syringe- and even this was not very successful. Out of concern, we got our instructor to also come assess. Unfortunately, as we left the hospital for the day we found the mother of the baby wailing outside (in Mongu wailing is a common grieving action when a love one passes). It was then that we knew that the baby had passed away shortly after our efforts.

We were very discouraged and frustrated, we would not see dehydration in an infant go this far without treatment and intervention in Canada. It got us thinking about how resourceful and plentiful the specialized health care team members are available to sick children in Canada. Here in Mongu, these resources are not always available and this prevents quick and effective treatment. Because of this experience we were determined to ensure that other baby remained hydrated and healthy. The next morning in rounds, we shared our assessment findings, concerns, and advocated for routine IV fluids. An IV was started on the baby, and we gave fluids through this. We also spent time with the mother, teaching her about formula feeding. The next day we noticed huge improvement in this infant! This was so exciting! His skin was not as dry, he was alert, and crying loudly.  

Overall, during our time we noticed a huge need for breastfeeding support and education to prevent dehydration. We hope to see fellow nursing students provide breastfeeding teaching and support to these mothers in the next few weeks. 

Rebekah, Rebecca, and Nicole 

From Local to Global!

Tonight after our hospital orientation we unpacked the donations for the families here in Mongu! In the weeks leading up to our trip, we had an outpouring of items from our community in Kelowna. We particularly want to mention all the students and teachers at North Glenmore Elementary School, in particular Hannah! 

Gillian and Natalie unpacking donations

Hannah is a grade 6 student at North Glenmore, and is part of a group called "Me to We". "Me to We" is an organization which strives to empower the young generation to shift their world views from ‘me’ to ‘we' through how they act, how they give, and the experiences in which they choose to engage. The "Me to We" students at North Glenmore Elementary made a commitment to take global action, to help change the world for the better. That is where we, and our trip to Zambia came in!

Hannah heard about our trip to Zambia and wanted to help. She went to her teacher with an idea and was able to get her whole school involved with our initiatives! Below I have included a post from Hannah, which is a great example of how we can come together as a local community to enact global change. Thank you Hannah and North Glenmore Elementary for helping us with our global initiatives!

The following excerpt is Hannah's own words and perspective on our partnership with North Glenmore Elementary: 

"Going to WE DAY opened my eyes to what is happening in other parts of the world, and it made me realize that there are so many people that need help and that need opportunities to have a better life. It's easy to get caught up in our own little bubble and take things for granted but in developing countries just going to school is a huge privilege, and so is running water and good health. 

 

I am so glad that we have been able to help the nursing students fill their extra suitcases with donations for moms and babies. 100% of donations will be going to the people that need it, sometimes other charities take money or donations and they don't end up where they are needed, I know for sure that the nursing students will be actually giving these items away! Being a part of this makes me feel so good and really happy because I know that even though we are kids we are able to make a difference! With our donations we will be helping lots of families.  One day I want to go places like Zambia and volunteer and bring donations. It's been really great to meet Courtney, she is so nice and I know she is going to be the best nurse :) 

 

It makes me happy to know that the donations we have collected will make things a little easier and a little happier for the moms and babies. A big thank you to Courtney and all the nursing students for letting us be part of this amazing opportunity!" 

- Hannah 

Hannah & Courtney 

Jessica H., Courtney and the North Glenmore students!

Now that we are in Mongu, Zambia, I have a better idea of how the donations we have brought over can help the families here. Tomorrow is my first day on the labor and delivery ward and I will be bringing the new mothers care packages filled with newborn clothing, blankets and hygiene products, all which were donated by families in Kelowna. 

Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!! Babies! 

-Courtney 

Lusaka to Mongu

Welcome to shalom bus station, where everyone is grabbing at your stuff and trying to sell you anything, from a bag of chips to headphones and perfume. Each of us had 2 pieces of luggage plus a carry on or two. All eyes were on us. Our lovely teachers bargained for a fair price to ensure all our luggage made it on the bus. We had to arrive an hour and a half early. This was the first time we were able to see the culture of Lusaka. To us it was chaos, to them ordinary life. 

Before this we hadn't seen much of Lusaka. We were questioning where the 15 million people resided, where the downtown core was, and where the poverty we had heard of existed. Our hostel had been in a "quiet" and "developed" area of town. As we left Lusaka our perspective of Zambia began to change. 

From the time the engine turned on to the time we actually departed the station it took about 45 minutes due to all the congestion and chaos of people, taxis, and buses. Much to our surprise an in house sermon had also begun at the front of the bus. Us girls were wondering what was going on while no one else batted an eye (and Sue may have been converted). This was the beginning of an interesting 10 hour bus ride to Mongu.  

Driving through Lusaka was an eye opener as we got a glimpse at the true Zambian life. Garbage filled the streets. People were walking everywhere. To where? We didn't know. Vendor after vendor lined the side walks and the combination of pedestrians and crazy driving made us wonder how car accidents weren't happening in front of our eyes. 

Before we knew it we emerged from the city craze and found ourselves in the beautiful African country side. On our journey to Mongu we had only two stops, which really put our bladders to the test! At these stops we experienced squat toilets, local unpronounceable food, and a taste of the country culture. Men and women ran up to the buses open windows (the bus had no ac) to sell passengers their goods and children waved happily from the road. We drove through Kafue National Park which is 22,500 sq km. We saw monkeys, antelopes, mud huts and people fishing in the Kafue river. Villages would pop up in the middle of no where making us question how life was sustainable. 

Rolling up to Mongu we gained a glimpse of our new home for the next 6 weeks the excitement really began! We are all looking forward to starting this nursing journey. 

Nicole, Marissa, Karen and Rebekah 

Mongu skies

The team is safe and sound in Zambia!

Jess and Jackie have arrived in Lusaka!