The reality of the situation

We see some sick babies. We also see some healthy babies, and those in between. Yesterday I measured a child with severe edema (swelling/fluid buildup all over the body) which automatically categorizes them as severely malnourished. Picture gripping the child’s leg, and when you take your hand away your hands imprint is left on the child’s skin. This child needed immediate hospitalization as she also had no appetite. Her condition could be fatal at this point, so we transported her and her mom to the hospital. At the other clinic, a baby in the PUFA study failed to show up to clinic for their 4 week blood draw, and we were informed they had passed away from suspected malaria. On several data cards it is noted that the mother of the child has passed away and they are in the hands of an alternative caretaker. 12 children have “expired” from the study already. Cholera has killed children within clinic visits. We take our first world privileges for granted, anti-malaria medication, access to adequate fluids, and the ability to pay for medical care. These conditions are all part of the day in the life of these children and families and it is heartbreaking. I’ve been posting happy baby pictures, but that is just a portion of what we are seeing every day. Not here to sugarcoat things, but my perspective is changed each time I attend clinic. Hope we can all realize that the first world perspective most of us live with is not always the reality for others. ✌🏼It’s also hard to be on social media as of recently because the petty political drama is SO insignificant and irritating. No one needs another Trump tweet, especially being in the realm of “shithole” countries it is more abrasive than usual. Going to try to be less connected. That is all.