After chuch, we head to radiology conference where all the students and doctors study each case. It gives them a chance to collaborate and also teach. It is here where I have a brief encounter with altitude sickness. (Haydom sits on a plateau in the middle of the Great Rift Valley at an altitude of over 5,000 feet) My head starts to nod off, the way it did back in school when you were terribly bored from a class but trying hard to look interested. Yet, it had nothing to do with boredom. I had plenty of sleep, but quickly realize that I haven’t been drinking any water and we’re at a much higher altitude and my body is adjusting. I head to my room to grab a bottle of water and end up sleeping for an hour not by original design. I am now separated from my group and am unsure of where to go. But I’m assuming a group of Americans will stand out rather quickly. I accidently find out that “operating rooms” is not understood in Swahili and are instead called “theaters.” I finally find Alex who is rounding on patients with Dr. Nuwas in what is called the “old ward.”
MUSC Dr. Patel teaches Dr. Nuwas during radiology rounds
Doctors and students study medical images
