Two weeks is a long time to wait for news especially when something momentous is happening. So here it is an update on our news, is it good news? We’ll leave you to decide.
The rest of the staff training went well, and a really encouraging 15-20 people at each mornings pre work prayer meeting ( 20 mins before the staff meeting) We did start to see patients on the Thursday morning but actually not quite as planned. The Wednesday evening the staff decided that they were unhappy with their lack of bonus on top of their salary. We were unable to reach agreement and so separated for the night with an uncertain future. Next morning we found a compromise, a profit sharing bonus will be paid, it was always planned for the future but as there are not yet any profits and none likely for a few months,. Anyway as a short term solution we will have a low flat rate start up bonus for 3 months after which time it will be truly linked to profits. A good outcome especially as the works reps have signed to agree that it will be an equal shares for all, irrespective of hierarchy, gardener to head nurse all the same. Also although it sounds horrible all the discussions were conducted in a very amicable manner. All these things are good principals for a Christian hospital.
So 2 hours later than planned we opened , and it was as if nothing had happened, everyone as nice as usual. Between us we saw 25 patients, I mainly went around organising as did Andrea, and then we mucked in at the end to help our Roy and Michaela who were flagging. It was 2 pm, I was shattered, couldn't see why, had a sandwich and then an inhabitual siesta.
Next morning I had slept very badly, woke up vomited and got back into bed. Had to get up at 9 am to go and see the local Health Director. He decided it was time for him to visit especially as we were open, and so we drove him back and showed him round. He was most impressed, he had never been before! despite being in post for 4 years and yes I did invite him previously, in May, but you can't be chasing up people all the time. I went back to bed, not vomiting but unable to eat and by now had a low fever. I have been in bed ever since eventually as the fever mounted Andrea diagnosed Typhoid. Since last Wednesday I am on treatment am responding and convalescing
Any way thank God for his guidance to Andrea to the diagnosis in he minimum of time, and for the fact that though still convalescing I am now well enough to write this.
The hospital is seeing 20-30 patients a day and has a steady trickle of emergencies. We still await our first baby, will it come on Christmas day? There are plenty of antenatal patients so it shouldn’t be too long.
At least we are ready now The freight arrived in
Ndjamena eventually 2 weeks ago. It then took 9 days
before being cleared for release by customs but all 175 kg arrived 4 days ago and that's great. It is unpacked, Andrea finished it on Saturday morning.
One perspective on the news from Mark, Andrea's would be different. I hope that was worth waiting for but was it good news?, Next time we will try to have even more Good News, it is after all what we are here for.
