Issue no 3, 1999 -- English edition -- home
Page: -- Contents -- 1, 2, 3, (4), 5, 6, 7, 8
Swedish dentist Karl-Erik Aronsson describes, in a two-page article in a local Karlskoga newspaper and illustrated by many photos, about his time as a Rotary Dentist in the Doctor Bank relay at the hospital in Mutomo, Kenya.
"The deficient dental care means that teeth are severely damaged by caries. Large holes and abscesses are common sights. I have never seen so much pus before."
He taught as well:
"I spoke about preventive dental care in the schools. I have never seen so many children-hundreds-sit so still, quiet and attentive. It was utterly fascinating."
The hospital in Mutomo now has dentists from the Doctor Bank during the entire year.
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Dentist Karl-Erik Aronsson, from Karlskoga, and dental nurse Patricia Syengo in the Doctor Bank dental reception at the nun's hospital in Mutomo, Kenya. |
Dentist Berndt Ekström, from Ludvika, Sweden, was sent in cooperation with the Kenya Ear Foundation to three hospitals. During a week he inspected more than 5000 children in the mouth using mirror and sunshine.
"On the average, about 12 percent needed immediate dental care, mainly extractions of root remnants, toothache, and teeth with caries to the pulp. It was about the same at the other two hospitals. The adult population probably has a greater need for dental care than the children. I could confirm this among teachers at the schools I visited, and among hospital staff. It was very stimulating to perform these examinations, and I met great enthusiasm and gratitude. Before the examinations, I talked with the teachers and children about the most important foundation for good dental hygiene-brush the teeth after breakfast and before bedtime, and avoid products with sugar. If we can reach everyone with this message, I believe that most would not suffer problems with their teeth in future."
Dr Anders Hartell, from Kristianstad, Sweden, has been out as jeep-doctor before. This year he came to the Mashuru line, among the Masai in Kenya. Here is an extract from his report, which tells what a jeep-doctor can experience during his daily tours.
"I had some trouble with the jeep in the form of five flat tires, but I had much experience of tire changes from Maseno, where I worked last. It felt easier to drive here, on small gravel roads with no traffic. I happened to get mired in the mud a few times, but everywhere people came out of the bush and helped me. Once, I stalled the engine among elephants and more or less visible predators. We had to sit for some time in the car and wait until help arrived. The problem was dirt in the carburettor. I also experienced holes in the exhaust pipe twice, and a few other minor problems that I could fix myself, for example windscreen wipers that stopped working. The little jeep is incredible at climbing and getting around-and fun to drive.
Dr Maj Rönnergård, from Älta in Sweden, jeep-doctor on the Ugunja line in Kenya, highlights in her report that her Kenyan colleagues are very ambitious, capable and friendly.
"They were always in place on time and did their work with great involvement. We had a very good atmosphere in the team and no problems whatsoever with the fact that people came from different tribes.
"My time in Kenya has given me much valuable experience of work in a developing country, with many fantastic people who seek ways for improvement despite widespread corruption. I wish that the Doctor Bank could support formal education for the local staff so that they could later work independently and in a lasting way.
The Doctor Bank has over the years been able to assist the education and training of several local people, often with the support of the Rotary Development Fund in Sweden. The most recent example is a clinical officer from Kenya, Mr Buxton Ogola, who this year received further training in his specialty ear-nose-throat diseases. Given greater resources and donations, this kind of training could be increased.
Ear surgeon Mats Nilsson, from Östersund, Sweden, was interviewed in a local newspaper after returning home from service with the Doctor Bank in Kenya:
"During four weeks, he performed 88 operations:
"'I have done what I was trained to do. It's as simple as that,' Dr Nilsson says. And this in a world without meetings, telephones, or beepers. Because of this, it was also good for the soul.
"Thirty of the operations involved cutting a bit of muscle above the ear to replace the eardrum. The patients had probably had repeated ear infections, which had reduced the eardrum to almost nothing."