Africa Vision 12

Africa Vision 12

N’Djamena, November 30, 2007

N’Djamena

So what is N’Djamena? Formerly known as Fort Lamey it was the French power center before independence Estimations range but I think it is safe to say there are about 1 million people living in the area. Today I realize that despite living here for three weeks now I have not seen a lot. There is a lively central market where Bollywood films, Hollywood t-shirts, Batista and other WWE stars rule supreme. Lebanese shops supply the western goodies. The restaurants are situated right along Charles the Gaulle Avenue. It is there where my mansions lie. Travel is easy with the yellow cabs about 3 dollars a pop. But having your own set of wheels is more or less necessary here. It is too bad I forgot my rollerblades in the Netherlands. Considering a bicycle. It is fun to paddle around town, but it does not solve the issue of my nighttime escapades. The most fancy nightclub in town lies about 7 miles away from my pied a terre. The good news is that a local nightclub formerly known as number 1 is opening up the doors again tomorrow. From there I can roll home.

Silly me did not realize that brother Faizal has a wireless Internet connection in his travel front office. That will sure save a lot of time while going trough emails, face book or other websites. After being spoilt in the Netherlands and the USA with the fastest of the fastest it is back to dial up. Yes Internet and blogging does play a big roll now and I shall do my utmost to keep on writing once every two days. Finally today I got through to Dr Gusto in Bebedja. The phone connection had been crappy for a while. He was happy to hear I am coming as soon as I have my travel permit. Not only because the hospital can use another set of ears and hands but also because like me Dr Gusto has a passion for the adorable Kinetoplasts Leishmania. As a dermatologist with over 10 years of experience with cutaneous leishmania (skin ulcers) in Latin America he has the impression there may be some cases as well in the South of Chad. He is looking for an alternative affordable treatment modality because the normal medication is not available in Chad. But first of all it would be great to confirm that Leishmania is available in Chad.

For that we need the sand fly (vector of the disease) and infected patients (mammals, as leishmania can be seen in man different animals but mainly humans and dogs). Then from an ulcer material needs to be taken and under a microscope with coloring in the macrophages several small cells can be seen the amastigote. Looking forward to peep through the microscope. If that does not work one can look at antibodies in the blood. For all these test chemicals and reagents are needed. Usually only the basic of the basic is available. I shall contact my colleagues at MSF to see if they have any of the test in the country after all MSF is one of the agencies that has most experience in diagnosing and treating leishmaniasis (albeit the visceral or systemic form) And they work in a hospital nearby in Gore about 100 kilometer away from Bebedja.

It is starting to itch. Breathing in and out is not easy when you are waiting for paperwork but it is the way it is with a civil war going on in the East and the action of Zoë’s Arc last month.
So what to do?
Write another blog entry
Highlight the needs of the people in the South of Chad or for that matter in most of Chad. As the dean of the medical faculty Dr Djada clearly stated. Even in N’Djamena children die of diarrhea, chest infections, measles and malnutrition. All completely preventable illnesses.
The students of yesterday in wooden benches, one training hall for the medical faculty. No audiovisuals to speak of. I think the students will enjoy when I come by with a projector and do a power point presentation. Aiming for them to enter in debate and to tickle them to think about creative, intelligent, durable, cheap and effective strategies to promote health in Chad.

Peace and Love

Ashis

It I so good to hear that many of you are busy in your own way to make a difference. Be it for Darfur, Uganda, Nepal or any other country around the world. Keep up the energy and belief that things can change for the better.