Clinic

January 11

Good afternoon . Today was the first orthopedic surgery clinic I have participated in for quite awhile. As always, in terms of difficult cases this clinic was no different, although there wasn’t anything I haven’t seen before. Most of the problems were the result of previous surgery that was well done, but failed. There were infected bones, bones that failed to heal, and run of the mill osteoarthritis. This hospital is fortunate to have an American orthopedic surgeon who is here 9 months per year so cases are handled better than if general surgeons are doing the surgery. As always paying for the surgery is difficult for many. Some are paid buy the funds you donate, some are paid for by their national health insurance. Like in the US, preauthorization is required. There are many restrictions and it is too expensive for many people. The rest of the patients need to figure out how to get the money. It really delays the treatment which affects the results. This picture encapsulates the problem. An old patient who can’t walk with a rope for the foot rest. Looking back on the 16 years I have been coming to Kenya, the problems remain but thankfully not as bad as previously.

Blessings
Doug