White Water Chaos on the Zambezi River
I was browsing through my pictures and reflecting on my past year here in Zambia when I came across some pictures from my first trip to Livingstone, the former capital of Zambia and home of the Mosi-o-Tunya, Tonga for “The Smoke that Thunders,” and commonly known as Victoria Falls. When my friends asked me if […]
Spreading the Word About Prevention
At the Cervical Cancer Prevention Programme in Zambia, one of the challenges we face is convincing women to get screened when they aren’t visibly sick. In the past, preventative services haven’t been common in Zambia. As a result, many see the clinic as a place for severely ill people only, not supposedly healthy people. Juliet, […]
Haikus on Burundian Food
Burundian food… Mix of African and world Not just rice and beans Green Lenga Lenga Soft ground spinach melts in mouth Sometimes find a rock Ugali! Yum! Yum! Squishy, gluy feeling in hand Lop! Dip! Scoop some food. Oh pan chocolate… Diets fail at Café G Less than one dollar! Beer and brochette Once a […]
CommCare Comes to Mwandama
In March, my co-fellow Rodrick and I helped facilitate a training of over 30 community health workers (CHWs) on CommCare, a new mobile data collection tool being rolled out across all MVP sites. CommCare provides a simple, easy-to-use case management tool for CHWs, helping them manage the enrollment, support, referral, and tracking of all clients […]
A Cancer Diagnosis is NOT a Death Sentence
I’m here to tell you that a cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. I’ll tell you again and again until you believe me. Cancer can be treated and cured, especially when diagnosed early. Even here in Zambia. Especially here in Zambia. Too often, women tell me they don’t want to go for cervical cancer […]
ARVs: A neccesary evil
I appreciate the importance of Anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs in the management of HIV/AIDS. They have awesomely improved the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and helped to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV. However, it is also true that ARVS have compromised efforts to eliminate HIV/AIDS. Consider the story of Uganda. Prevalence of HIV/AIDS was […]
Happy-go-lucky!
June 23, 2013 – GHC visiting Village Health Works in Kigutu, Bururi, Burundi. We were given the rare opportunity to tour the medical facilities, husbandry site, and community gardens that make up VHW. Along with the primary school children enrolled in the United States Embassy’s English Access Program, we made friendship bracelets and taught them […]
Gynecologic Cancer and the Importance of Bearing Children in Africa
In Zambia, the ability to bear children is particularly important to women. In the Bemba language, the phrase “imiti ikula empanga” (meaning “the shrubs that grow now will become the forest”) emphasizes the importance of children to society. Surgical treatment for gynecologic cancer may involve removal of part or all of the uterus, preventing a […]
The Significance of My Changed Role
Prior to becoming a fellow for Global Health Corps, after waking up and walking to work every morning, and before I am able to sit down or get the morning hand off, someone (always a woman) would call out for my help. “Doctor!” she shouts, “Please attend to me, I came in this morning and […]
How I Joined the Movement for Global Health Equity
One year ago , I was saying goodbye to family and friends and boarding a plane to Zambia. With 3 weeks left in the fellowship, I’ve been doing a lot of reflection on where I’m going next. But to fully appreciate where I’m going, I think it’s import to reflect on where I’ve been and […]