On our drive to Kyampisi we bought 10kg of rice and 3kg of meat @ 3,500 schillings per kg and 10,000 schillings per kg respectively.
On arrival at Kyampisi we were met with the news that Loy, the little girl we'd met on Friday and who had undiagnosed celebral malaria and possibly viral meningitis had deteriorated.
To cut a longer story shorter, we decided to postpone the Youth Conference until next Saturday given the urgency of driving Loy into Kampala - though the meat will need to be eaten before then.
After picking up Loy from Naggaloma Hospital we drove her mum, Betty and Loy into Mulago Hospital in Kampala.
We had to negotiate our way into the hospital car park as they didn't seem to want us to park in the public car park - I suspect the guard wanted money and Cochroach refused to pay. After about 5 minutes of negotiating, Cockoach asked me to just drive off without paying. I was sure the police would come after us - but to this point I've not heard from them!
We parked our car and walked to the Administration Centre. They asked us to take Loy upstairs, which we did and found our way to the Casualty Ward - to be more precise outside the Casualty Ward. After negotiating our way in we discovered people lying on beds (at least 15-20) in the hallways and outside waiting rooms. To be honest, it was very confronting as many of the people where VERY sick and obviously needing significant help.
After a few minutes one of the staff informed us that we needed to go back downstairs and then make our way up the hill to the Paediatrics Ward - which was pretty much where we started our journey an hour before. Loy's mum and I took it in turns to piggy back Loy as we walked. As we walked through the emergency section of the hospital we saw a taxi with a smashed front window and people being carried into the hospital - it certainly didn't look good to me!
Interestingly we walked right past a room with windows, behind which were piles of files. I suspect this was the official records room - although I wouldn't want to be in a hurry if I was trying to find a file.
The paediatric ward was the same ward we brought Doreen to back in late 2012 and to be honest, it looked better then. You'd want to be really sick to bring a child here and when you come inside you discover lots of sick children - again quite overwhelming. I think it's the smell of the ward that leaves a lasting memory too.
Initially we waited to speak with a doctor. After waiting what seemed like an unreasonable amount of time, we went on a doctor hunt.
The doctor we found seemed very tired and over-worked but was very helpful. He took us all into his consulting room and inspected Loy. He believed she had the signs and symptoms of meningitis not malaria. After discussing whether he should undertake a lumber puncture and deciding that he should, he twmberef that the required staff didn't work
on a Saturday. He asked us to go and buy a supply of meningitis medication - which we did. On our return trip to the hospital the gears on the ute started to fail so we could only use the second gear - a very slow journey indeed!
On our return to the hospital I spoke briefly to an African albino couple with a black baby. They seemed a little embarrassed to be there. I've since been told that African albinos are thought to be cursed
After the nurse administered the appropriate medication to Loy they found her a bed. They anticipate she'll be in hospital for about 10 days. Mum and Betty will stay with her - no bed supplied for parents just a concrete floor.
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