Health Care

Health care here is ... challenging. I often find myself longing for the health care resources we have in the US. I know there are many problems with the US health care system, but one extended stay abroad and you’ll realize how great it really is. I have mentioned in previous blogs about the health care here being sub-par and poor and I wanted to explain what I meant.

Basically it comes down to people being underpaid and overworked. Those two things contribute to many of the issues with African health care. Now, I am sure there are places and health care providers that are great, but those are the exceptions and I am talking about the rule - what you will find generally in Tanzania and Kenya.

In Kenya, jobs are very hard to come by. There are nurses and doctors, but not enough paying jobs to support them. Government hospitals pay very little and are understaffed. As a result, the employees are stressed out. They don’t have the equipment, supplies or help they need. Private hospitals have more resources, but still pay low. The owners of the hospitals are trying to make money. And you often feel that when you receive treatment there. Before any service is given, they demand full payment. If someone happens to get treatment before paying and don’t have the money, they are held hostage until the bill is paid. Guards don’t let them leave all the while they are racking up a bigger bill. When I was in labor, they wouldn’t admit me until George paid the fee. He had to run out at midnight to the ATM while I was fully dilated and ended up delivering 30 minutes after arriving. Fortunately George made it in time!

I believe most people go into the medical profession out of a desire to help, but end up developing a hard heart due to the work environment. As a result, patients are treated roughly. Midwives often slap a mother in labor if they aren’t “cooperating.” Patient care ends up being very low on the priority list. There have been stories of patients coming for help and dying on the steps after being turned away for various reasons. One nurse may be responsible for over twenty people.

There are government clinics that the average person goes to for vaccinations, well baby care, deliveries and for treatment when an illness or injury occurs. But they are very crowded and patients wait for hours to receive services. Doctors are over extended so they aren’t able to give the attention each person deserves. We experienced this when looking for a doctor for Eli here. One doctor we met was very rude. When George told him how to pronounce Eli’s name, he said he didn’t care and we should stop wasting his time. We were in shock and ended up leaving. The sad thing is most people don’t have an option to go elsewhere and endure bad treatment because they don’t know they should be treated better.

We were blessed the Lord led us to a pediatrician who seemed experienced, knowledgeable and caring. She even gave us her phone number. Now we know who to go to if Eli gets sick in the future.

Labs are another big issue. Since George is a lab technologist, he has the behind the scenes scoop. Sadly, many techs write down fake results. They are either too busy to keep up or aren’t paid enough and can’t be bothered to do it. It’s difficult to find labs with trustworthy results. False results lead to a false diagnosis which causes patients to not get accurate treatment.

For all these reasons, it’s our desire to set up our own lab. Just a small simple one can make a huge difference. We would love to have a place where people can get free, reliable tests and walk away feeling loved and encouraged. Also, it would give us peace of mind as we raise Eli here. It’s scary not having a good place to take him. It wouldn’t be a huge undertaking and George could operate it when we are free from other ministry duties. A lab is something we are praying about and seeing how the Lord provides. Everyone should feel cared for, especially when sick. We want to show them the love of God while meeting their physical needs.