Reality Check

Living without This week has brought the stark fact that we live in a country with a Human Development Index of 183 out of 188 measured by the UN. One of our friends had his sister in-law living with him in the same compound, a common practice in a familial culture. His sister in-laws daughter of 16 was studying for her final school exams, when she had stomach pains. They visited the local clinic and was told she needed an operation and it would cost €40, they went away and asked around the family to help. They raised the money and took her to the clinic, after the operation she returned home to continue studying. She deteriorated, so they took her to another doctor for a second opinion, he diagnosed her with TB and sold them a treatment pack.  Last Friday the day of her final exams, they took her to the hospital limp and unresponsive, she died a few hours later, the hospital could not save her. I hear this so often, it makes you sad and mad at the same time. Many doctors are working in difficult conditions, frequently with little specialist training. They lack equipment and charge high prices for appointments and diagnosis.  Earlier this week, I tested positive for malaria. I didn't have the normal symptoms, just stomach pains. Privileged I called our medical hotline in London, who told me to test for malaria and take medication against worms. The test was positive so I took the treatment kit that we have from the UK, three days later I am back to full health.  Contrast