Never before have I seen so many cases of Malaria! Probably 1/3 of the kiddos that I sent for testing today came back positive. What was even more shocking to me was the number of severe pediatric malaria cases. Unfortunately, the triage system is not so hot here (we will be doing some triage teaching for the staff next week). I am not sure how long this young boy had been waiting to be seen but while his mom held him, soaking wet from the fever he had just broke, a group of angry women vied for my attention, demanding that I see their kids who had ‘treat at home’ runny noses. It was obvious that this boy was not well. By the time I saw him, he was barely responsive. His RDT (Rapid Diagnostic Test) came back positive for a high load of falciparum trophozites (the strain of Malaria, which causes cerebral malaria). Until yesterday, I had never before seen a case of Cerebral Malaria. Now I have seen several cases; all in small children. Meanwhile, on my drives in and out of the settlement, I spot mosquito nets adorning chicken coops, rooftops and walls...
Women begin to gather around the OPD as a pharmacist begins to distribute meds
