The doctors first began the orchestrated madness by conducting their rounds to each patient, taking note of the current status of the patient, while the nurses follow from a distance. In this ward there are two nurses on duty to attend to a constant flow of eighteen. The nurses follow from such a distance, because the hospital is gravely understaffed. It takes the patience of two nurses and many hours dressing the patients with great care each day.
A cluster of old men seated while some stand next to the door labeled Ward 67 waiting to be admitted. It is not uncommon to see over a dozen patients waiting in such an array. Some would peer into the cluttered ward seeking the attention from someone inside. One of the nurses on duty, whose identity will not be named, check their papers and would hear their ailments, as they would explain in a few words, more like a plea to be admitted. They are briefly acknowledged and continue their wait. The biggest frustration for the staff here are those who wait outside peering in. There are “too much, plenty” of patients the nurse explains, “there aren't enough beds.” Those who wait with a non-life threatening illness would have to continue their wait and continue their patience of what little they may have left.
Optimism can be found through this door, because those inside have beds. Patient logbooks sit in a stack as they are being looked over by the two nursing students. A look deeper into the ward carried a sense of sadness, yet the hint of optimism was indeed felt. The look was returned by many, as patients young and old lay quietly. The youngest came out from closed curtains to observe the room's present state briefly before going back into hiding. The eldest in the room ironically about walking the aisle with hands joined at the back holding Arabic prayer beads. He recites the many names of Allah, as his fingers take one bead at a time. A prayer is just one small gesture anyone could do out of an act of kindness in benefit to those who lie in silence.
Ward 67 receives and cares for those with minor injury and for those who are recovering from a post-surgery operation. A constant flow of patients puts a great strain on the logistics of the hospital. Supplies that are used daily lie in open boxes scattered about the break room just off the main floor of the ward. Broken tiles and patient files are also scattered about here. When asked about the number of wards at Royal Victoria, a second year nursing student, whose identity will not be named, laughs, “ohh 15?” He continues explaining about the difficulties in distributing these supplies to the wards that need them the most. It is true that the World Heath Organization supplies the major drugs to gloves to needles amongst a countless number of valuable logistical supplies. Not only ward 67, but also the entire hospital has a great urge to modernize its facility to effectively treat its patients. It is also true that many non-governmental organizations throughout the world, including the WHO, are modernizing hospitals in underdeveloped nations. The problem herein lies a very fundamental oversight, to supply a proper education in the medical field of those underdeveloped nations. Many struggling economies throughout the world rely heavily on foreign assistance in a wide range of issues. One in particular is skilled labor in the medical field.
The Gambia has a nursing college in dire distress or so it seems through the voices from Ward 67. The two nurses and two nursing students all confirm the difficulties and hardships one may face while being a nursing student. High tuition costs are a large burden on any student, especially a student in The Gambia. The college does not include book fees within the cost of tuition, which creates a major burden on the students. Students who could not afford the high cost of books will simply not buy them and are forced to resort to the out dated library. The college also has a computer lab, since the role of technology plays such an importance in the medical field. It would be even more of a value if the college had a teacher to teach these students computer technology. The second year nursing student had mentioned that it is common for first and second year nursing students to give computer support to third year nursing students. He even said it is known for first and second year nursing students to help type up important term papers for class for the third year nursing students. A near sixty percent of nursing students will drop out of nursing school within the seven years it takes to become a registered nurse. In part due to great financial strains in costs of tuition. It is imperative for a nation to modernize itself to have a skilled workforce in order to thrive economically. Perhaps, faults in the education system in underdeveloped nations reflect the current status quo of problems these nations face on a daily basis.
Two doctors had entered the ward. I had noticed them with a quick glance and begun asking questions about my presence to the staff on duty. They begun to argue for all did not welcome my presence. I continued taking photographs. The more they hear my clicks the more the situation intensified. My time has expired here. |
