Archive for May, 2010

A day in the life of our hospital…

I started at 7.15am ,and began by ensuring that the midwife allocation was carried out and that the blackboard with patient data  was updated constantly during the day encouraging the charge nurses and students in their responsibilities. Every task or procedure  I undertake is carried out whilst constantly teaching.

Yesterday I delivered 2 sets of twins; one complicated and the other not.  2 breech births, one that I was called to assist in emergency with an obstructed head. 3 vacuum extractions. Various prolonged labours. Supervised at least 6 other deliveries with students.  Sutured 3 perineum’s whilst teaching clinical officer students. I resuscitated 4 babies, managed 1 PPH (post partum haemorrhage, diagnosed and sent to women to theatre . Managed I severe APH (anti partum haemorrhage) for placenta abruptia with a good outcome for mother and baby. I taught on the morning round consisting of clinical officers and clinical officer students, midwives, midwifery students, interns and doctors. I admitted 4 referral patients with acute pathology.

I finished after 5.30pm, there was no time for breaks. We delivered more than 52 babies in 24 hours! This was a busy day. But then most days are busy.

Rachel

The Rose Project has been funding a senior clinical midwife tutor at Bwaila Maternity hospital for the past nine months. Rachel MacLeod has been teaching and mentoring existing staff, in an effort to address the high level of infant and maternal mortality at the hospital. Rachel is also involved in implementing the Prevention of Mother to Child HIV transmission programme which is operating at the hospital.

We are delighted to announce that UNICEF will support The Rose Project financially to continue with this initiative.