As many of you know, I am about to take up a post at St Frances Hospital, Zambia, for 6 months in obs and gynae. SFH is a 350 bed rural hospital, just outside a little town called Katete near the Mozambique and Malawian border.
If you're wondering where Zambia is on the map:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Zambia/@5.8455545,4.191689,3z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x1940f4a5fcfc0b71:0xf19ff9ac7e583e45!8m2!3d-13.133897!4d27.849332
And cos maps are fun, here's the hospital:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/St+Francis+Hospital/@-13.6390326,25.0713965,6z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x191874bfce385f8b:0xe04b2a85046ced0c!8m2!3d-14.0657035!4d32.0147556
I arrived in Lusaka, Zambia's capital, last night after about 24h of travelling (via Johannesburg) and stayed the night here before the 7h drive to the hospital today.
I was picked up last night by Isaac who works for the Zambian Anglican Council, the people I'm being sponsored by (I think it's them anyway).
About 5 min into the drive from the airport to the hostel I witnessed my first head on collision about 20m in front of our car. It didn't look too horrific but the cars were going reasonably fast (maybe 30mph) and there was this awful time while we sat there waiting to see if the drivers would get out of the cars. One did but the other didn't. I was really torn - as a doctor obviously I wanted to check he was OK and if necessary offer some first aid, but having literally just landed in Zambia I had all my possessions with me including a considerable amount of money for the next 7 months. It was dark and didn't seem incredibly wise to leave everything unattended in the car so Isaac went to check he was OK while I waited, ready to join him if there was a problem. Luckily he was alright and we kept going.
I'd heard a LOT of far worse stories about road traffic accidents here so wasn't surprised, just thankful everyone was OK. Isaac told me the reason they have so many accidents is because Zambians drive v aggressively. He said if someone is overtaking and is coming towards you on the wrong side of the road or cutting you up, Zambian drivers will speed up as though to prove a point that they are in the right, even though this obviously risks their life. About a minute after saying this we had an example of this - there was a parked car ahead in our lane and to avoid hitting it he indicated to move over into the next lane. Instead of letting him in, the car behind us in that lane accelerated, flashing his lights, forcing us to brake.
But I don't want you to worry (mum!), I'm sure it'll be fine!!
I had a good time in the Lusaka backpackers lodge. One thing I LOVE about travelling is all the people you meet. I met this American family - a midwife who's working in Malawi for 3 months with her 3 kids in tow. Since they're only here for 3months they've been going to the local primary school, which I'm sure has been an experience they'll never forget. The only thing her 10 year old seemed to have to say about it was that it was great they had a lot more time off for break and lunch than back home!
Anyway I should probably go since my lift will be here soon. I'll put up some pictures of the hospital when I get the chance :-)
If you're wondering where Zambia is on the map:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Zambia/@5.8455545,4.191689,3z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x1940f4a5fcfc0b71:0xf19ff9ac7e583e45!8m2!3d-13.133897!4d27.849332
And cos maps are fun, here's the hospital:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/St+Francis+Hospital/@-13.6390326,25.0713965,6z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x191874bfce385f8b:0xe04b2a85046ced0c!8m2!3d-14.0657035!4d32.0147556
I arrived in Lusaka, Zambia's capital, last night after about 24h of travelling (via Johannesburg) and stayed the night here before the 7h drive to the hospital today.
I was picked up last night by Isaac who works for the Zambian Anglican Council, the people I'm being sponsored by (I think it's them anyway).
About 5 min into the drive from the airport to the hostel I witnessed my first head on collision about 20m in front of our car. It didn't look too horrific but the cars were going reasonably fast (maybe 30mph) and there was this awful time while we sat there waiting to see if the drivers would get out of the cars. One did but the other didn't. I was really torn - as a doctor obviously I wanted to check he was OK and if necessary offer some first aid, but having literally just landed in Zambia I had all my possessions with me including a considerable amount of money for the next 7 months. It was dark and didn't seem incredibly wise to leave everything unattended in the car so Isaac went to check he was OK while I waited, ready to join him if there was a problem. Luckily he was alright and we kept going.
I'd heard a LOT of far worse stories about road traffic accidents here so wasn't surprised, just thankful everyone was OK. Isaac told me the reason they have so many accidents is because Zambians drive v aggressively. He said if someone is overtaking and is coming towards you on the wrong side of the road or cutting you up, Zambian drivers will speed up as though to prove a point that they are in the right, even though this obviously risks their life. About a minute after saying this we had an example of this - there was a parked car ahead in our lane and to avoid hitting it he indicated to move over into the next lane. Instead of letting him in, the car behind us in that lane accelerated, flashing his lights, forcing us to brake.
But I don't want you to worry (mum!), I'm sure it'll be fine!!
I had a good time in the Lusaka backpackers lodge. One thing I LOVE about travelling is all the people you meet. I met this American family - a midwife who's working in Malawi for 3 months with her 3 kids in tow. Since they're only here for 3months they've been going to the local primary school, which I'm sure has been an experience they'll never forget. The only thing her 10 year old seemed to have to say about it was that it was great they had a lot more time off for break and lunch than back home!
Anyway I should probably go since my lift will be here soon. I'll put up some pictures of the hospital when I get the chance :-)
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