It has taken a long time for me to write you an update.
The Clinic.
I am working in the clinic, attending to patients as well as doing a lot of bedside teaching. Most nurses are qualified nurses, but the quality of the training is not up to the standard, as I would like it. Also some have forgotten things. Therefore a lot of teaching needs to be done: now with a every Friday quiz – having some fun as well.
As I have noticed a big need for proper (basic) orthopedic care, I have started to provide, even though our equipment is far from what is required to do a good job. But even without better equipment, we can provide some treatment better then the herbalists. Most other hospitals do not do any orthopedics, only refer to Emergency Hospital in Freetown (good Italian run hospital, but now unable to cater for the whole country, so almost always full, so often they can not accept new patients).
One of my patients is Isatu. On the 27th of January she was involved in a car accident: she was a passenger and the car drove into a tree. When she came she was in severe pain around her waist, so much that she did not even complain about her arm that was broken too.
As we do not have X-ray and clinically i could not assess the problem well enough. We contacted the Government Hospital in Makeni, were we could come for X-ray, despite the late hour. We put Isatu in the back of the pick-up of dr ABD and went to the government hospital. This is not far, but part of it is over bumpy dirt roads – very painful, despite the pain medication we gave her.
Her left hip was broken in the pelvis (acetabulum fracture) and the right hip was broken in the upper part of the upper leg (pertrochanter fracture). These are severe fractures.
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The day she was released from the traction, she was sitting outside, but her face told me she was not happy. She was sad, as she disappointed her relatives, as she did not walk immediately. I explained (again) to her: those are wrong expectations, it will go slowly.
Soon she had her optimism back and started practicing.
City Garden Clinic now has its own website, with much information about the clinic: the history, the staff, news updates, and much more.
Also two projects are on the website: the VIA – cervical cancer screening and the uniform project. More projects will follow, so keep checking the website!
Came back about six week ago in Sierra Leone. In the middle of Ramadan. A true ordeal, even for non-Muslims here. There is almost no hour of the day without the minaret of one of the pieces or ten mosques within hearing distance of our hospital nothing to hear. The first week was not so bad because there was no electricity in Makeni because of maintenance on the net and many of the mosques do not have a generator, our noisy neighbor mosque 100 meters away unfortunately, but then all day a cacophony of noise. In the discussions about aircraft noise (Lelystad), this is called “a high sound pressure” in that jargon. I have wondered about this period when an ordinary mortal can actually sleep when around midnight, at half past three at night and then again for an hour from 5 o’clock in the morning, in addition to the usual calls and songs, there is also a thunder sermon or discussion with the maximum volume is shouted in the air. Anyway, today (Friday, June 15) the weather is over, public holiday, pray day and the start of the Sugar Festival. This morning during a training walk for the four-day many people met in the streets on their way to mosques and prayer meetings in the open air (unfortunately disturbed by a heavy rain shower) in their beautiful new clothes and robes specially made for the occasion. Mostly white with a lot of gold embroidery.
Speaking of training walks, my first on African soil after returning from NL was Saturday, June 2, the first Saturday of the month. Wrong day chosen since the first Saturday of the month from 7 – 12 pm is National Cleaning Day. Now that was always the last Saturday of the month but with the arrival of the new president of SL that has changed in the first. I had forgotten. And where did I hear that that a new president is reversing the policy of his predecessor? Quite nice and quiet on the road, no traffic so nice walk without you have to worry too much by an Okada (motorcycle) of the road to be driven. A few times stopped by police and military personnel that I was in violation: “I have to arrest you until 12 o’clock; orders from above, from the President “or on my remark that I had already cleaned:” then you have to sit until 12 “. But with a chat that you’re training and explaining what the four-day trip is, you’ll get away again.
My training walk a week later went for no meter. Every hour really needed some rest. In itself not as surprising as the next day shows that you have malaria in your body. With a three day pills cure, that is also behind us.
Thanks to all who sponsored me for our project to prevent cervical cancer. For those who want to support this project and want to sponsor me during the four-day event, hereby the link:
In our hospital, City Garden Clinic, it goes its normal way with the usual medical ups-and-downs. It is sad if you lose a young man of 21 years. He had long been admitted because a leg had to be amputated. Initially the recovery went well, however, the cancer had already spread and there was nothing more than pain stilling. That cuts pretty well. It is also sad that family sometimes refuses a necessary treatment and thus breaks the chance of a decent future for the patient into the ground. In this case a young woman with a broken leg. After some time it appeared that the bone parts did not grow together. Most likely because there was something between the bone parts such as muscle tissue. With an operation there is a good chance that it all, especially because the patient is young, is reasonably good and the patient can walk again. But the mother and brother of the woman did not want that, wanted to take her with her, and would actually heal herself (!). Impossible without surgery. Dr Erdi spent hours talking to the family and to the patient and her husband who initially wanted surgery, but refused to sign the “consent form” under pressure from the family. Then you are powerless and you know that this young (adult!) Woman is crippled the rest of her life.
But fortunately, the “success stories” have more than the upper hand. In one of my previous newsletters I talked about a patient who had broken his lower jaw in several places. The lower jaw is tied to his upper jaw with wire, dental wiring. Now this turned out to have been the most difficult patient in years in this hospital. Continuously complaining, running away, trying to pick up the wire, etc. In the end it all got pretty good and he walked around with a big smile (see photo).
Another patient I talked about in previous newsletters is Isatu, a woman who had broken both hips. She is now running a bit again. Here is the story that Dr. Erdi wrote about her with some photos and a video.
As I have noticed a big need for proper (basic) orthopedic care, I have started to provide, even though our equipment is far from what is required to do a good job. But even without better equipment, we can provide some treatment better than the herbalists. Most other hospitals do not do any orthopedics, only refer to Emergency Hospital in Freetown (good Italian run hospital, but now unable to cater for the whole country, so almost always full, so often they cannot accept new patients). One of my patients is Isatu. On the 27th of January she was involved in a car accident: she was a passenger and the car drove into a tree. When she came she was in severe pain around her waist, so much that she did not even complain about her arm that was broken too. As we do not have X-ray and clinically I could not assess the problem well enough, we contacted the Government Hospital in Makeni, were we could come for X-ray, despite the late hour. We put Isatu in the back of the pick-up of dr ABD and went to the government hospital. This is not far, but part of it is over bumpy dirt roads – very painful, despite the pain medication we gave her. Her left hip was broken in the pelvis (acetabulum fracture) and the right hip was broken in the upper part of the upper leg (pertrochanter fracture). These are severe fractures. (Picture Isatu 1, in the pick-up). That same night we started traction with placement of Steinman pins, as that also relieves a bit of the pain (Picture Isatu 2) For 3 months she was in traction. After a few weeks she became able to sit up and slowly she started moving a little more (Pictures Isatu 3, 4). The day she was released from the traction, she was sitting outside, but her face told me she was not happy. She was sad, as she disappointed her relatives, as she did not walk immediately. I explained (again) to her: those are wrong expectations, it will go slowly. Soon she had her optimism back and started practicing. Today during ward rounds she danced for me: See video.
So far Erdi about Isatu (who has given written permission to use her “story” for PR purposes). If you want to know more about our hospital, our website has been live since the beginning of June: www.citygardenclinic.com
Steve of 4 HIM requested dr ABD for a wish list of items needed for the clinic. Steve managed to get into contact with an other organisation Hands Of Hope, who said could provide most of these items.
A container was send, and after a long travel (via China) arrived in Sierra Leone. After a complicated job of clearing the container, it arrived at the clinic on 27th of April (Sierra Leone’s independence day).
Many boxes, walking aides, few beds with mattresses, chairs and 2 scanning machines and 2 C-bow x-ray were off loaded.
Thank you very much, Steve!
PS we look forward to have Rick wood over again, so we can see how to use the C-bow X-ray 😉
After the request of the management, the PUM (Netherlands Senior Experts) send Johan Luijting to assist City Garden Clinic for 2 weeks. Mr Johan is very familiar with Sierra Leone as he assisted other projects/hospitals in Sierra Leone. He is a specialist advising the finance department of City Garden Clinic.
To have good financial administration is essential for any further development of the clinic, so we are very happy with the coming of Mr Johan Luijting.
Very proud are we for John Nyakeh Sesay, the accountant of City Garden Clinic graduated from UNIMAK. He now is the rightfull owner of a BSC in Accounting and Finance from UNIMAK (University Of Makeni).
John has been supported in his study by Dr ABD Sesay. Thank you for educating the young people, as they are the leaders for tomorrow.
Through the kind effort of Steve Hollingsworth of 4HIM the balance space of the container with CARTS for the polio, was filled with some donations for the hospital. Among these donations were 3 scanning machines (unfortunately one was severely damaged during loading of the container, as it had fallen).
One of the ultrasound was connected and we started to test it. Real use was started in the first week of March.
As introduction/promotion of the scanning machines it was announced to the staff and the nearest PHU that we would do free ultrasound scanning for pregnant woman.
The first day 30 came, the second 31 came, and we are expecting more…
It was the day of 25 th February that many of the staff of the clinic went to support their colleague Sampha in his traditional wedding. The ceremony is called ‘put kola’.
In the ceremony the ‘kola’ and the bride’s price is being presented by the family of the groom to the family of the bride.
Everyone was dressed very beautiful. It was a good ceremony with a happy end, as both families came to an agreement that Sampha and … can be together.
A big modern wedding will follow…. Next year February 25th?
For almost one week, Steve Hollingsworth Rick Wood and Rico (Rick Webb) from the USA and pastor Kenneth from Ghana came to City Garden Clinic. They have been very supportive.
Steve and Rico, via 4HIM, have been supporting City Garden Clinic, and it was a blessing to have them visit us.
Rick Wood is a TECH member and biomedical engineer, he has assisted in the maintenance of the equipment of the hospital. We hope to see him back when we receive more equipment, so they will get installed proper and survive the challenges of the Sierra Leone realities (heat, dust, humidity and instable power).
On Friday the proprietor of City Garden Clinic was given the symbol (candidacy) for Member of Parliament for the Gbonkolenken region, representing the APC party.
This was greatly celebrated with a “Red Sunday” full dance in Yele. Many of the staff joined the celebration in support of their boss/proprietor.
Last Updated: June 22, 2020 by Gert Kroon
Erdi NewsUpdate July 2018
Dear Friends,
It has taken a long time for me to write you an update.
The Clinic.
I am working in the clinic, attending to patients as well as doing a lot of bedside teaching. Most nurses are qualified nurses, but the quality of the training is not up to the standard, as I would like it. Also some have forgotten things. Therefore a lot of teaching needs to be done: now with a every Friday quiz – having some fun as well.
As I have noticed a big need for proper (basic) orthopedic care, I have started to provide, even though our equipment is far from what is required to do a good job. But even without better equipment, we can provide some treatment better then the herbalists. Most other hospitals do not do any orthopedics, only refer to Emergency Hospital in Freetown (good Italian run hospital, but now unable to cater for the whole country, so almost always full, so often they can not accept new patients).
One of my patients is Isatu. On the 27th of January she was involved in a car accident: she was a passenger and the car drove into a tree. When she came she was in severe pain around her waist, so much that she did not even complain about her arm that was broken too.
As we do not have X-ray and clinically i could not assess the problem well enough. We contacted the Government Hospital in Makeni, were we could come for X-ray, despite the late hour. We put Isatu in the back of the pick-up of dr ABD and went to the government hospital. This is not far, but part of it is over bumpy dirt roads – very painful, despite the pain medication we gave her.
Her left hip was broken in the pelvis (acetabulum fracture) and the right hip was broken in the upper part of the upper leg (pertrochanter fracture). These are severe fractures.
The day she was released from the traction, she was sitting outside, but her face told me she was not happy. She was sad, as she disappointed her relatives, as she did not walk immediately. I explained (again) to her: those are wrong expectations, it will go slowly.
Soon she had her optimism back and started practicing.
Today during ward rounds she danced for me:
See video (below the video more to read)
The website of Smarter Hospital has been renewed, with updated information!
The last updates on teach-the-teacher project are really positive!
www.smarter-hospital.nl
City Garden Clinic now has its own website, with much information about the clinic: the history, the staff, news updates, and much more.
Also two projects are on the website: the VIA – cervical cancer screening and the uniform project. More projects will follow, so keep checking the website!
www.citygardenclinic.com
Mr Rudi joins the Nijmeegse 4-daagse again
Like every year Mr Rudi is joining the Nijmeegse 4 daagse (four days of walking). He is training very well.
You can sponsor him (actually you sponsor the VIA project – cervical cancer screening) via https://www.devierdaagsesponsorloop.nl/wandelaars/ruurd-van-rooijen/156b7630-99c3-49b3-9f03-3d5b51947c7b
I hope to keep you updated a bit more frequently, but now you can also always check the website (where I will regularly post news updates).
Greetings from Makeni,
Erdi Huizenga
Last Updated: June 22, 2020 by Gert Kroon
Newsletter Ruurd June 2018
Came back about six week ago in Sierra Leone. In the middle of Ramadan. A true ordeal, even for non-Muslims here. There is almost no hour of the day without the minaret of one of the pieces or ten mosques within hearing distance of our hospital nothing to hear. The first week was not so bad because there was no electricity in Makeni because of maintenance on the net and many of the mosques do not have a generator, our noisy neighbor mosque 100 meters away unfortunately, but then all day a cacophony of noise. In the discussions about aircraft noise (Lelystad), this is called “a high sound pressure” in that jargon. I have wondered about this period when an ordinary mortal can actually sleep when around midnight, at half past three at night and then again for an hour from 5 o’clock in the morning, in addition to the usual calls and songs, there is also a thunder sermon or discussion with the maximum volume is shouted in the air. Anyway, today (Friday, June 15) the weather is over, public holiday, pray day and the start of the Sugar Festival. This morning during a training walk for the four-day many people met in the streets on their way to mosques and prayer meetings in the open air (unfortunately disturbed by a heavy rain shower) in their beautiful new clothes and robes specially made for the occasion. Mostly white with a lot of gold embroidery.
Speaking of training walks, my first on African soil after returning from NL was Saturday, June 2, the first Saturday of the month. Wrong day chosen since the first Saturday of the month from 7 – 12 pm is National Cleaning Day. Now that was always the last Saturday of the month but with the arrival of the new president of SL that has changed in the first. I had forgotten. And where did I hear that that a new president is reversing the policy of his predecessor? Quite nice and quiet on the road, no traffic so nice walk without you have to worry too much by an Okada (motorcycle) of the road to be driven. A few times stopped by police and military personnel that I was in violation: “I have to arrest you until 12 o’clock; orders from above, from the President “or on my remark that I had already cleaned:” then you have to sit until 12 “. But with a chat that you’re training and explaining what the four-day trip is, you’ll get away again.
My training walk a week later went for no meter. Every hour really needed some rest. In itself not as surprising as the next day shows that you have malaria in your body. With a three day pills cure, that is also behind us.
Thanks to all who sponsored me for our project to prevent cervical cancer. For those who want to support this project and want to sponsor me during the four-day event, hereby the link:
https://www.devierdaagsesponsorloop.nl/wandelaars/ruurd-van-rooijen/156b7630-99c3-49b3-9f03-3d5b51947c7b
In our hospital, City Garden Clinic, it goes its normal way with the usual medical ups-and-downs. It is sad if you lose a young man of 21 years. He had long been admitted because a leg had to be amputated. Initially the recovery went well, however, the cancer had already spread and there was nothing more than pain stilling. That cuts pretty well. It is also sad that family sometimes refuses a necessary treatment and thus breaks the chance of a decent future for the patient into the ground. In this case a young woman with a broken leg. After some time it appeared that the bone parts did not grow together. Most likely because there was something between the bone parts such as muscle tissue. With an operation there is a good chance that it all, especially because the patient is young, is reasonably good and the patient can walk again. But the mother and brother of the woman did not want that, wanted to take her with her, and would actually heal herself (!). Impossible without surgery. Dr Erdi spent hours talking to the family and to the patient and her husband who initially wanted surgery, but refused to sign the “consent form” under pressure from the family. Then you are powerless and you know that this young (adult!) Woman is crippled the rest of her life.
But fortunately, the “success stories” have more than the upper hand. In one of my previous newsletters I talked about a patient who had broken his lower jaw in several places. The lower jaw is tied to his upper jaw with wire, dental wiring. Now this turned out to have been the most difficult patient in years in this hospital. Continuously complaining, running away, trying to pick up the wire, etc. In the end it all got pretty good and he walked around with a big smile (see photo).
Another patient I talked about in previous newsletters is Isatu, a woman who had broken both hips. She is now running a bit again. Here is the story that Dr. Erdi wrote about her with some photos and a video.
As I have noticed a big need for proper (basic) orthopedic care, I have started to provide, even though our equipment is far from what is required to do a good job. But even without better equipment, we can provide some treatment better than the herbalists. Most other hospitals do not do any orthopedics, only refer to Emergency Hospital in Freetown (good Italian run hospital, but now unable to cater for the whole country, so almost always full, so often they cannot accept new patients).
One of my patients is Isatu. On the 27th of January she was involved in a car accident: she was a passenger and the car drove into a tree. When she came she was in severe pain around her waist, so much that she did not even complain about her arm that was broken too.
As we do not have X-ray and clinically I could not assess the problem well enough, we contacted the Government Hospital in Makeni, were we could come for X-ray, despite the late hour. We put Isatu in the back of the pick-up of dr ABD and went to the government hospital. This is not far, but part of it is over bumpy dirt roads – very painful, despite the pain medication we gave her.
Her left hip was broken in the pelvis (acetabulum fracture) and the right hip was broken in the upper part of the upper leg (pertrochanter fracture). These are severe fractures. (Picture Isatu 1, in the pick-up).
That same night we started traction with placement of Steinman pins, as that also relieves a bit of the pain (Picture Isatu 2)
For 3 months she was in traction. After a few weeks she became able to sit up and slowly she started moving a little more (Pictures Isatu 3, 4).
The day she was released from the traction, she was sitting outside, but her face told me she was not happy. She was sad, as she disappointed her relatives, as she did not walk immediately. I explained (again) to her: those are wrong expectations, it will go slowly.
Soon she had her optimism back and started practicing.
Today during ward rounds she danced for me: See video.
So far Erdi about Isatu (who has given written permission to use her “story” for PR purposes). If you want to know more about our hospital, our website has been live since the beginning of June: www.citygardenclinic.com
Last Updated: June 22, 2020 by Andre Schmitz
Arrival of container from Hands Of Hope (USA), donated through 4HIM (USA)
Steve of 4 HIM requested dr ABD for a wish list of items needed for the clinic. Steve managed to get into contact with an other organisation Hands Of Hope, who said could provide most of these items.
A container was send, and after a long travel (via China) arrived in Sierra Leone. After a complicated job of clearing the container, it arrived at the clinic on 27th of April (Sierra Leone’s independence day).
Many boxes, walking aides, few beds with mattresses, chairs and 2 scanning machines and 2 C-bow x-ray were off loaded.
Thank you very much, Steve!
PS we look forward to have Rick wood over again, so we can see how to use the C-bow X-ray 😉
Last Updated: June 22, 2020 by Andre Schmitz
Johan Luijting of the PUM
After the request of the management, the PUM (Netherlands Senior Experts) send Johan Luijting to assist City Garden Clinic for 2 weeks. Mr Johan is very familiar with Sierra Leone as he assisted other projects/hospitals in Sierra Leone. He is a specialist advising the finance department of City Garden Clinic.
To have good financial administration is essential for any further development of the clinic, so we are very happy with the coming of Mr Johan Luijting.
Picture: Johan teaching John, our accountant.
Last Updated: June 22, 2020 by Andre Schmitz
Stores ‘attacked’ by Mr Rudi
As the items donated and bought were stored in an African way, sometimes we do not know what we have.
Mr Rudi has started to ‘attack’ this issue and started to get the places where items are stored organised.
This is a very big, but also very dusty job.
But the difference the work of Mr Rudi makes is enormous!
Thank you very much!
Last Updated: June 22, 2020 by Andre Schmitz
Our accountant John Nyakeh Sesay graduate from UNIMAK
Very proud are we for John Nyakeh Sesay, the accountant of City Garden Clinic graduated from UNIMAK. He now is the rightfull owner of a BSC in Accounting and Finance from UNIMAK (University Of Makeni).
John has been supported in his study by Dr ABD Sesay. Thank you for educating the young people, as they are the leaders for tomorrow.
Last Updated: June 22, 2020 by Andre Schmitz
Start use of new scanning machine
Through the kind effort of Steve Hollingsworth of 4HIM the balance space of the container with CARTS for the polio, was filled with some donations for the hospital. Among these donations were 3 scanning machines (unfortunately one was severely damaged during loading of the container, as it had fallen).
One of the ultrasound was connected and we started to test it. Real use was started in the first week of March.
As introduction/promotion of the scanning machines it was announced to the staff and the nearest PHU that we would do free ultrasound scanning for pregnant woman.
The first day 30 came, the second 31 came, and we are expecting more…
Last Updated: June 22, 2020 by Andre Schmitz
Traditional wedding of nurse Sampha
It was the day of 25 th February that many of the staff of the clinic went to support their colleague Sampha in his traditional wedding. The ceremony is called ‘put kola’.
In the ceremony the ‘kola’ and the bride’s price is being presented by the family of the groom to the family of the bride.
Everyone was dressed very beautiful. It was a good ceremony with a happy end, as both families came to an agreement that Sampha and … can be together.
A big modern wedding will follow…. Next year February 25th?
Last Updated: June 22, 2020 by Andre Schmitz 1 Comment
Visit of Steve, Rick, Rico and pastor Kenneth
For almost one week, Steve Hollingsworth Rick Wood and Rico (Rick Webb) from the USA and pastor Kenneth from Ghana came to City Garden Clinic. They have been very supportive.
Steve and Rico, via 4HIM, have been supporting City Garden Clinic, and it was a blessing to have them visit us.
Rick Wood is a TECH member and biomedical engineer, he has assisted in the maintenance of the equipment of the hospital. We hope to see him back when we receive more equipment, so they will get installed proper and survive the challenges of the Sierra Leone realities (heat, dust, humidity and instable power).
Last Updated: June 22, 2020 by Andre Schmitz
Red Sunday in Yele
On Friday the proprietor of City Garden Clinic was given the symbol (candidacy) for Member of Parliament for the Gbonkolenken region, representing the APC party.
This was greatly celebrated with a “Red Sunday” full dance in Yele. Many of the staff joined the celebration in support of their boss/proprietor.