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Monday, August 13, 2007

Tamale Regional Teaching Hospital

Tamle Regional Teaching Hospital consists of eight separate wards and laboratory buildings, ten physicians, and 500 employees for Tamale's 350,00 and the Northern Region's 2 million inhabitants. The hospital's electrical power and water supply (which requires electricity) are intermittent. Operations have to be terminated when the electrical power fails. Voltage surges destroy electrical equipment and voltage regulators will have to be purchased. In contrast to the spartan hospital facilities, the Chinese under Ghanaian contract, built a new 50,000 seat football (soccer) stadium for the upcoming 2008 Pan African Cup!
This past week, three patients with profound hearing loss (typical candidates for cochlear implants), a ten year-old with bilateral complete stenosis of the ear canals causing deafness, and an accident victim with loss of skin to the anterior neck, requiring a skin graft were seen. The child with the canal stenosis and the accident victim will be scheduled for surgery. Cochlear implants are not available.
A presentation will be made on August 15 to the Tamale Rotarians for their support with "Project C.U.R.E." in sending medical supplies to the hospital. This effort will be in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Kearny, NJ in the U.S.
It has been pleasant and rewarding to work with a 70% Muslim population, experience the torrential downpours, and learn "Dagbani," the language of the Dagomba. Not so pleasant has been recovering from food poisoning and trying to transfer funds to the local Barclays Bank and/or SG-SSB bank without ensuing their 2.5% charge. And last night's particular experience: after just lathering up my entire body with soap & shampoo in the shower, the water failed. Had to resort to toweling off all the soap & felt like a Roman of the first century who depended on oils to cleanse himself. Hoped Cyndy would appreciate the sweet smell but she was already fast asleep.
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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great blog post, Dad. Hope your next shower experience is a better one!

Anonymous said...

And I hope you discriminate a bit more in enjoying the local cuisine! Food poisoning is no fun. Have you thought about setting up a Barclay's account to avoid the transfer fees. That is a British bank and it shouldn't be too difficult to get an account.
Pat McGarrity

OurSwissAdventure said...

Hi Uncle James! Have a great New Year !!!


Love,Faith ,Mike ,Maggie and Jack

Moore said...

Moore. sorry about your experience in the shower. i suggest you get more towels ready cos feb is fast approaching