So there's actually another medical student here at the moment, and today we found out there's someone else joining us on Sunday for a couple of weeks. So I wont be getting too lonely!
Haven't done much medically yet, but have just been getting used to how things run. It seems that everyone (and I mean everyone) seems to be on some form of antibiotic; but otherwise medications are fairly limited - only older, generic drugs and stocks seem to run out fairly regularly.
Otherwise, I'm looking forward to observing births as apparently the women are expected to give birth in complete silence and will be smacked by the midwives if they start to scream. I can only imagine the uproar if anyone tried that in the UK!
The Solomon Islanders seem to have an incredibly high pain threshold and many minor gynae operations are done with no anaesthetic at all. They don't have an anaesthetist, so no surgery is done under general anaesthetic - patients have to go to the capital Honiara if they need it. Otherwise, general surgery such as appendicectomies or hystorectomies are done under local anaesthetic or possibly spinal. I haven't actually seen any of these so not sure of all this so I'm hoping to see some next week.
Should be interesting........
nic this is fascinating. i am so glad you are writing it all down! i'm reading avidly!
ReplyDeleteThis is so great being kept in the loop,Nic. So interesting. I'll try to phone you usual time Sunday evening. Love Mum
ReplyDeleteHi Nic,
ReplyDeleteSo cool to read all your adventures!! Well excited about all the animals you see and little friends in your room/floorboards :) The medical stuff seems a bit scary (lack of drugs), but I suppose that it will make things even more interesting! Keep us posted and have lot's of fun there!
Antoinette x