Edendale Revisited

     Last night we were hosted at a cocktail reception at Greys Hospital, presented by the board of the hospital.  We were greeted by rotarians, board members, administration, staff members and nursing hierarchy.  They were most gracious,  and .  treated us with great hospitality.  Most importantly it afforded us  each the opportunity to meet with people with whom we hope to accomplish our mission.  In all, a pleasant and productive evening. 
     Today, Bill and Hennie got down to some solid planning in anticipation of Bill's meeting tomorrow with Yvonne, one of the organizers of the NGO with whom we intend to work and a key to the homes for the lodger mothers.  The rest of us returned to Edendale Hospital.  We all rounded in the neonatal ICU, where we witnessed a fine housestaff doing an excellent job under most difficult conditions with antiquated equipment, much of which was in need of repair.
     Larissa then met with occupational therapists and is scheduled to begin working with them at the beginning of next week.  She also was asked to demonstrate part of her program to nurses on the wards.  The bulk of her day was spent with Matilda, a pediatric attending in charge of the sexual abuse unit, which is quite busy, and also in charge of the neurodevelopmental aspects of pediatrics at Edendale.  she and Larissa spent much time together, and will continue to meet and try to develop a stimulation program.
     Jamil and I spent the day in the pediatric outpatient clinic and ER.  With were taken under the wing of Annu, an attending from England.  He had arrived to begin his work on the day that I visited Edendale in April.  He is a remarkable young man who has worked much in Africa.  He has assimilated well into the south African culture and is kind, and compassionate to the Zulu population.  On top of that he is a fine pediatrician, who has developed fine instincts to make up for the lack of support.  All of the patients were quite ill, with the assumption of HIV and TB until proven otherwise.  Through seeing the patients, we were exposed to many of the social issues involving the population
     Daksha had her surgery today and is resting comfortably.  We think of her and speak of her often, and hope for her swift recovery.  We hope that she will soon be able to pursue her part of the project.
Marty