Every day is another chance to learn.

by Nicole Tardio, IWM serving in Mongu, Zambia.

Today was quite difficult, I must admit. It all started yesterday when I got a call from one of my friends that there was a 7 year old boy in a village about 40 miles outside of Mongu that had gotten a snake bite a while back on his leg. Almost one full year later his leg is so badly infected that part of the bone was now outside the skin and had recently fallen off.

They informed me that they were bringing him to the hospital and asked if I could meet them there to help get him admitted to the ward, to see a doctor, and be treated. He came from the village last night, and I met them at the hospital this afternoon. Not wanting to intrude too much I stayed outside the room when they went in to see the clinical officer; knowing that the x-ray they had just taken had shown severe osteomylitis, I was sure he would be admitted and treated from there, getting to see the doctor first thing in the morning.

The boy's father came out and said that the boy was not being admitted but instead had to come back next Wednesday in order to see a doctor. So the boy, father, and brother proceeded to the pharmacy to get the tylenol that was prescribed. I was baffled by this initially, and then frustrated knowing that prompt treatment is necessary when concerning bone infections. So I marched right up to the nurse in charge of the emergency room (who hadn’t been filled in on the situation), I explained what had happened, and requested nicely to consult with the clinical officer once again to see if the decision could be changed considering the circumstances. After I caused a little bit of a scene (not too much of one though, don't worry!) I soon found out that the dad had refused to have the boy admitted when the clinical officer made the suggestion. The boy could obviously not be  admitted without the parent’s permission, so they gave him a prescription for tylenol and was ready to send him back to the village.

My friend and I sat down with the father and asked what the reasoning was behind refusing admission. After about an hour or so of going back and forth, I was getting quite frustrated and I was ready to give up, knowing that you can’t make someone do something even though you think it's for the best. Then I looked over at the little boy and my heart broke, knowing that there is no way they would manage to come back to the hospital next Wednesday to see a doctor due to lack of transport and the boy hardly being able to walk. Finally the father voiced the real reason why he didn't want the boy admitted: he didn't have the means to feed him if he stayed on the ward. He said it was better if they went back to the village with the rest of the family and they would have food.

I regret not being more understanding and patient with the father. His concerns were very real to him, and I was quick to judge him on not wanting what was best for his child medically, which wasn't the case - he just saw a more immediate concern, like what they were going to be able to eat tonight and tomorrow. With that being said I am thankful for the opportunity today to learn. I am thankful that the boy is admitted on the ward tonight and will be seen in the morning by the doctor to hopefully start his long recovery.