Aside from training the staff to use their new ambulance, and picking up trash, my other major contribution to the health center so far has been helping to build a minor surgery room. Again, this is not something strictly within my Peace Corps objectives, but I think it is related. Quite often, I speak with Dr. Sera about sanitation and hygiene at the hospital and what could be done better. Consistent fundamental cleaning is in dire need.

One day he asks me if I will help him build a minor surgery room. He wants a room that is properly stocked with supplies and equipment, clean and sanitary, and kept locked off limits except for when he needs to perform minor surgery like suturing.

“Sure”, I say. So, we gather up some cleaning supplies and head over to the room he has picked out. The patient rooms here are ghastly! The photo to the right shows one of the corners of the room before we started. I am quite sure the walls have never been washed and the floors, although the get an occasional sweeping, rarely get mopped. There is dried blood, dirt, food scraps, and, well, it is really best not to think of what else down there.

Our first order of business is washing down the walls, floors, and windows. I glove up and begin doing this with the two cleaning staff members. I have to keep reminding them to rinse the mop and sponges out, and change the water in the bucket frequently. While we are cleaning, Dr. Sera has someone go buy a bucket of paint. The room clearly needs a coat of fresh paint, but I do not suggest it fearing they can not afford paint. Dr. Sera is clearly serious about this project. I am so excited for fresh paint!

We have paint, brushes, and even a roller. They apparently can not afford a roller pan however. I am wondering how we are going to make this roller work in the 5 gallon bucket of paint when they throw a rice sack down on the floor and pour out a bunch of paint onto it.  Problem solved.

Dr. Sera grabs a roller and jumps right in helping.

I do some trim work, which is a challenge with the bad brushes we have.

The next day as the paint dries, we scrub a bed down out in the yard. We move some other equipment into the room and suddenly we have a new minor surgery.

Now there is a room in the house that I would even be seen in as a patient. My ongoing challenge is to make sure it stays clean.