The New and the Old

Dr Ed Malphus left on Thursday.   There has not been a Pediatrician here in years so he was able help the staff in caring for the many Pediatric patients, especially newborns.  His presence will continue to benefit many patients for some time to come.
 
Ed’s departure was followed by the arrival the next day of Dr Tim Cavanagh.  Tim is a Family Practitioner from Phoenix.  Tim and his wife Sheila spent 3 years at St Theresa’s Hospital in Zimbabwe with MDA.  He spent 3 months in Cameroon last year working in Kumbo.  Tim was most gracious to help here in Njinikom as Terry and I will be headed home to see family and friends in 10 days.  It is reassuring knowing that I will leave my patients here in his good hands.

Loa Loa

Loa Loa is the “eye worm” that is endemic to portions of Cameroon.  It can appear on the surface of the eye and being 1-2 inches in length it is quite visible.  

Dr. Eugene stopped by the house the other day very excited.  He had been called to see a patient on the Surgical Ward with eye irritation.  The patient had a very active Loa Loa worm visible in his eye.  It was not long before Dr. Eugene, Dr. Ed, Dr. Jim and Nurse Sunday were all gathered around the patients bed.  I am not sure the patient was more bothered by this worm squirming around just under the surface of his eye or by the presence of all us “worm gazers”.  

Armed with some numbing eye drops, scissors and forceps I went after the worm.  The worm certainly did not like being under the spotlight and soon retreated into the upper corner of his eye out of my reach.  The patient is receiving medication to kill the worm and is improving.  

Every patient complaining of eye irritation this week has been scrutinized for the presence of Loa Loa.



Dr. Ed with his soft touch



Dr. Ed Malphus arrived here this week. Ed is a Pediatric Gastroenterologist from Santa Monica, California. He has been involved with MDA for 20 years including serving as Board President for many years. This is his first opportunity to serve overseas and he has jumped into the work with both feet. He has already seen multiple cases of malaria, TB and HIV in his first 2 days. It is nice having someone here with his expertise on Pediatric and GI problems. I am looking forward to working with Ed for the next month.

Praises and his Mom

Today, I had the opportunity to meet Praises and his mother. Praises is a 4 year old boy who has been on HIV medications for 2 years. He came in for a medication refill. He is doing very well and is having absolutely no medical problems. It is a real joy to see the number of people doing well with this terrible disease.