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Thoughts from Day One

Thoughts from Day One

Dr. Jeremy Schwartz, Med-Peds Resident at Yale University and KFWH Advisory Board Member, writes of his first experience treating patients in Africa. Thoughts from Day One by Jeremy Schwartz I was seated at a small desk against one of the long walls of this large rectangular room. Before me was a never-ending swarm of activity, full of very sick people — everywhere. This was my first morning at an African hospital. I had been to Africa several times for pleasure and for study as an undergraduate. But this time I was a medical student, fresh out of 3rd year and I was to spend a year in Uganda on a clinical research fellowship. This day, the first of only 2 weeks I spent on the medical wards at Mulago Hospital before shifting up the hill to the considerably cushier confines of our research collaboration clinic, would prove to open my eyes —wide. A senior resident was seated next to me, barely acknowledging my presence. That was OK. My anonymity...

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from a Doctor in Angolia..thanks KFWH!

Letter of Thanks from a Doctor in the Field…   My name is Ndinga, and I am an Angolian doctor. I work at the Institute of Combat and Control of the disease, Trypanosomiasis. Right now, I am in Lisbon, Portugal where I came to participate in the 3rd Consortium of Trypanosomiasis . As you know,sleeping sickness constitutes a major problem of public health in Angolia. One third of the population of the country is at risk. Each year, an average of 3500-5000 new cases are diagnosed. The provinces touched by this tragedy are eating up the main economic resources of our country,( oil, diamonds, coffee.) It’s a terrible menace for the Angolian population in general, as well as the environmental and socio-economic development of the state.  Therefore, it seems it is important for us to congratulate you, the members of KFWH, on your initiatives that you have taken concerning sleeping sickness. Please permit us to thank you in advance for your partnership that is helping.  Our sincere thanks, Ndinga...

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from Kampala,Uganda

KFWH Advisory Board member, Dr. Jeremy Schwartz  on the Nephrology Ward at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda discussing a case with 3 medical students and a 2 senior house officers( residents)....

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from Cameroon

from Cameroon

Blog from the Field: Peace Corps Volunteer, Cameroon, Africa Former KFWH/HS Chapter President, Geoff Miles  Happy Spring to all of you stateside! How wonderful it will be, this time next year to experience spring again, my favorite season. I’ve loved hearing the detailed accounts of snow showers and ski trips this past winter. As you’d expect, we’re short-supply of the white stuff out here. In fact as I’m writing this, it’s approaching 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Yes, that was not a typo. Anywhere from 120 to 125 degrees is fairly normal on a day- to- day basis in Northern Cameroon for this time of year.  Some of you may now be saying “Northern Cameroon? I thought you were in the East?” Right. In case you have not heard, my posting was recently switched and I am now located in the north region of Cameroon. I live in a town called Pitoa, just 10 miles outside Garoua, the capital of the North region. I moved up here a little under two...

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KFWH Co-Founder Fights Chagas Disease in Bolivia

KFWH Co-Founder Fights Chagas Disease in Bolivia

KFWH Enters South America… Emily Wharton, one of the 15 Founders of Kids for World Health at the age of 8, was in the field in Bolivia at age 20, working with researchers on Chagas Disease treatment at the site of our KFWH Field Project. The Project being funded by students in chapters in NYC and in several states, provides the leads and introducers for the implant of pacemakers used as a life-saving treatment for patients suffering from 4th stage Chagas in villages surrounding Santa Cruz. Currently 85% of the villagers are infected by the parasite carried by a beetle that populates the area and bites its victims in the night sliding through the cracks in their mud homes. Emily is our first student intern in the field, and her contribution is to create a video film on the process of this treatment. This film will hope to help alleviate the fears of villagers who have the opportunity for surgery and will support our 1st Aim of Education and...

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Update on Lead Wire Project for Pacemaker Surgeries in Bolivia

Update on Lead Wire Project for Pacemaker Surgeries in Bolivia

Currently, Kids for World Health is supplying lead wires and introducers to pacemaker patients in and around Camiri and Santa Cruz in Bolivia, South America. We were happy to hear the story from the field, of Tiburcia, who recently was given the needed surgery to extend her life.  As you will read, she is very appreciative of the chance to live her life and have time to love her grandchildren and family. Grandmothers love their grandchildren in every culture! _________________________________________________________________________________ Tiburcia Sacaca Quispe, Patient Story from Bolivia Sent from our on-site location in Bolivia.  Tiburcia grew up in the mining city of Potosi, Bolivia before moving with her family to Santa Cruz, Bolivia. She remained in Santa Cruz making her life as a homemaker with her husband, living close by her sisters as well. She raised 3 children, now grown, and helps care for her 6 small grandchildren.  She shares her 2-bedroom house with her husband, daughter, son-in-law, and 2 grandchildren. She enjoys being with family around the house...

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