Meetings at Greys Hospital and Reflections

     This will be the last installment of my blog before we leave on Wednesday.
     Today Jamil, Hennie and I met with Neil McKerrow, the heaqd of pediatrics for Kwazulunatal, our mentor on healthcare here, the man who both helped us and put reins on us.  I have dealt with Neil since last April, and feel that I still do not have a good read on him.  Neil is an incredibly dedicated man, with a computer like mind and a long term vision which he follows religiously.  He rules with an iron hand.  Today, I felt that Neil was very pleased with the fact that we had followed his bidding and really became familiar with the system.  I felt that, at last, we had won his confidence as opposed to many of our predecessors who were mostly talk and little action.  He and Jamil discussed ways in which Jamil could serve as an advisor, was very pleased with the contributions Larissa had made, and expressed plans for Daksha's future visit.
     Larissa met with the occupational therapists and formulated a report on how physical stimulation and play could be incorporated into the hospital system.
     I then had the opportunity to meet with Ruth Davidge.  Ruth is a young nurse who through her intellect and approach to people has accomplished the difficult task of bridging the gap between nurses and doctors in the neonatal field.  She does trainings for the nurses, is involved in establishing the systems in nurseries throughout Kwazulunatal, and works with the physicians in training and patient care.  We discussed how Daksha could contribute, and Ruth was extremely excited about Daksha's participation.  Another dedicated and inspiring person working in extremely difficult conditions.
     We all came to South Africa, each determined in his own way to make an immediate difference in the care of children here.  At times we were frustrated by being asked to bide our time and observe the many expressions of the system.  As we leave we know that we have not erected a single structure, YET, that we have not changed the delivery of pediatric care, YET, that we have not extablished a comprehensive pediatric stimulation program, YET, and that we have not put a dent into the shortage of vital equipment, YET.  Whar we have accomplished is in setting up relationships that will grow and spread and will, ultimately, lead to small steps in accomplishing all of the above goals.  What I have learned is that by our presence and desire to help we have won the confidence of those we have touched.  Sometimes, just knowing that people from so far away genuinely care and are anxious to help is inspiring to those working so hard agains such adversity.
Marty