On my way home…

Yesterday, I left the town of Shirati to make my way to the 2nd largest town in Tanzania, Mwanza. I got a ride in the hospital car to the next major city, Musoma. As I was getting out of the car, a police officer ticketed the driver since he hadn’t “parked” in an appropriate stop. Instead, he had stopped the car on the side of the road and I was just getting off. More drama than was necessary. I wonder if he only got ticket, because as a foreigner coming out of a Land Cruiser, I was an easy target. The funny thing was, the police officer actually got into the car with the driver and they drove off to the station. I feel like having been in Shirati, I was so far removed from the corruption and politics of the developing world. In general people are too poor to be able to pay a bribe.

My last week at the hospital went by extremely quick. I was covering the female ward for another doctor who was at a TB and leprosy training. I also had the chance to visit a US family doctor who has recently set up a local primary care clinic in a small village about 6 km out of Shirati. It was heartbreaking in a sense, because I realize the conflict that arises from wanting to be the family doc who “does it all.” In a sense, the interventions that are most needed, take little training and would be best addressed by a traditional birth attendant or community health worker. For example, the childhood vaccine clinic only makes it to the village once a month, antenatal and basic childhood health care goes a long way here.

Not all is ill fated in Tanzania. As I travel, I’m seeing signs of wealth, thriving businesses and infrastructure that is likely making lives easier at every step. Everyone here has a cell phone. I can’t imagine it was a simple accomplishment, but it seems to have made the world much smaller. In addition, paved roads seem to be making travel a lot easier and even internet cafes are popping up, filled with local Tanzanians, instead of just tourists.

Tomorrow, I’ll be in Moshi, just under Mt. Kilimanjaro, visiting a clinical site run by the Pediatrics AIDS corps.

Best wishes to all…