This week we finally began training for the CPAPs! We started Monday morning at Queens with 3 trainees from 3 different hospitals. Each hospital brought two nurses and one clinical officer. We also had our four lovely CPAP nurses from Queens helping to run the training as well as a couple of Queens doctors, Alfred from the Ministry of Health, MK, Jocelyn, Ariel, and me. We started off a bit late, which we basically anticipated happening. I have learned here to not expect anything to run according to schedule. But eventually, we had 9 eager trainees before us ready to learn all about CPAP.
To start off, Alfred gave a really great motivational talk getting everyone fired up about the CPAP. He talked about how important it is to learn how to use CPAP to save the lives of neonates in Malawi as well as the importance of teaching others and continuing to collect good data so that the project can continue successfully. The training video that was put together was a really great way to introduce the technology. The Queens nurses also really enjoyed seeing themselves on camera! We also did a lot of hands on learning and practiced with baby dolls. On the second day the trainees got to go into the ward and see what CPAP is like on an actual baby. For a simple machine, there is a surprising amount of information to know about it! We taught everything from the basics of common respiratory problems, how to identify potential CPAP patients, feeding tubes and suctioning, setting up the machine, making the stockinette hats, putting the baby on the machine, monitoring, and weaning the baby off of CPAP.
The best part was definitely seeing the enthusiasm of all of the trainees. A couple of them asked to take the manual home with them on the first day so that they could study it more for the next day and one also asked about getting a copy of the training video to bring to their hospital and show others. They picked up on everything really quickly, and I think they will be able to teach more people about using CPAP in their districts. The Queens nurses were equally excited about helping out at training. They take a lot of pride in their work as the CPAP nurses and really enjoy teaching others about it.
Yesterday, we drove up bright and early to Zomba to install the equipment and bring all of the necessary supplies to the hospital. As soon as we arrived, there was a crowd of people that came out to see the new gear. They wanted to all take a photo with the new CPAP before we could even bring it into the wards. (See parking lot photo below)
The road to Zomba is under construction, so it was a bumpy 2 hour ride on this dirt road, but all of the equipment (and people) survived thanks to MK and German’s driving skills. It truly takes a lot of skill to avoid potholes, the many pedestrians walking in the road, big rocks, bikers, oncoming traffic, and goats.
Despite a shortage of space on the Zomba wards, we got all four CPAPS and other supplies successfully set up. Then before we knew it, a huge group of nurses had gathered around the new cart and Florence was giving an impromptu orientation on CPAP. It was so amazing to see how interested and thankful everyone was. Before we left, we even saw a big group of people already starting to make the stockinette hats for CPAP patients!
Now it’s back to Zomba to finish some data collection. Can’t wait to see if there are any babies on CPAP already!
Random Photos:
Lake Malawi!
The orange cloth on top of the basket is a People’s Party chitenge supporting the President of Malawi, Joyce Banda. People here in general have mixed views on Banda. She was very popular when she was first elected but has lost support since the devaluation of the Malawian Kwacha.
Early morning at Queens outside of the Peds ward. Notice the woman with the green cloth on her head–she’s carrying two babies on her back which is perfectly normal here. The women here basically lean over so their back is flat, place the baby on their tummy on their back, and then wrap the chitenge cloth around the baby and tie it in the front (and sometimes wrap an extra cloth around for warmth). I am curious to see that process with two babies though!
Malawi driving problems…