The sign into the ETU. The road was already in place because it leads to the Leper colony. Still an active colony.
Everything you enter you get foot sprayed and wash hands.
Water supply. These are the tanks for the .05% chlorine spigots. That's what we washed our hands in.
The survivor wall.
My group was involved in the discharge of this patient.
In some down time I was honored to paint the hand outlines on the wall.
On the other hand here is the graveyard. Over 175 patients here.
New graves are dug daily though they are probably taking a break because the number of infected folks has thankfully gone down. They are preparing for another spike around Christmas and right after because visiting home is huge here at Christmas.
The morgue with a cart to haul the bodies too big to be carried.
Ambulance geared for the road. Takes about 20 minutes to spray it down with chlorine prior to letting or getting the patient out on arrival to the ETU. Takes another 20 minutes to get it ready to go again.
Boots hanging to dry.
Little house where someone can stay for a short time upon discharge until transportation home is arranged. While we were there a 7 mo old boy was released a day before his mom. He stayed there over night with a survivor working for the ETU.
That's it. Good bye bong. You were a great teacher. Back to Monrovia!
Thanks for all the pix, Kelsy. Your blog is great. It is interesting to see the country and the medical efforts through your eyes. Sending you a hug.
ReplyDeleteThe handprints made me smile. What a great survivor wall. Try to remember the initials of people who you remember and I'll turn it into a quilt for you.
ReplyDeleteI am so ignorant - I did not know that there are still leper colonies.
ReplyDeleteIn the pictures the sun is shining and it makes it appear cheerful. What are people's spirits like? Are they filled with dread and fear? Is there a sense of hopefulness and camaraderie?