Michelle Gailiun writes:
It was interesting today....almost everyone on this unit, including Sharot Namubiru here, had seen or heard of the surgical list that's circulating among the staff. Some of the children made it, some did not.
Sharot's daughter, 1 month old Patience, was not on it. She has spina bifida and needs surgery to correct it. But as Jen Bland is explaining to her, we did not come equipped to handle surgery on such tiny infants. Jen first became aware of her plight when Sharot had come running up to her as Jen was bringing up another patient to the unit. Sharot was desperate and asking for help, but Jen didn't know what to say. Later, Sharot stopped me and handed me a note she had written, asking me to take it to Jen.
The note reads:
"I am a Uganda aged 22. I come from a poor family of 18 children. I am HIV positive. I'm married and my husband is now jobless for two years. My child is suffering from hydrocephalus and spina bifida. I don't have money so that I can look after her because I'm not a working class. Please do me a favor so that I can get some help. And the fear of the lord is the source of wisdom."
Dr. Mike Haglund said he will work with a local nuerosurgeon to make sure Sharot and Patience get care. Triage brings tears.
