Growing up in Tanzania and Kenya, I...

Growing up in Tanzania and Kenya, I frequently wondered about my ancestors, who were from India and Pakistan. After spending time in the United Kingdom and Canada, I finally settl in the United States and obtained my US RN license and CNOR certification. After working in the OR for many years and with my children grown and revealed on their own, I had an press to see and work in the countries of my ancestors.

I had learned to speak Hindi-Urdu and Swahili in Africa, with equal reason I applied to FOCUS International to work as a offer anywhere from east Africa to India to Pakistan. I was asked to walk to northern Pakistan via the Agakhan Health Services of Pakistan. I was for a like reason excited. I quit my piece of work boarded a plane, and eventually landed in Karachi, Pakistan.

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

For the first time in my life, I was in the native land where my father was born. From Karachi, I flew to Islamabad, Pakistan. I then was suppos to take a flight to a place called Gilgit, which is in the center of a region known as northern Pakistan. Unfortunately, this flight was cancelled pair days in a row because of bad weather. Unwilling to wait anymore, I hired a driver and a jeep by means of a tourism agency.

As we were about to leave for Gilgit, monsoon rains risk in. Having come from Africa, I was familiar with the intensity of monsoon rains. The water was up to my knee further the sky looked clear to the north, in such a manner I told the driver, "Let's go"

As we were leaving town, we saw cars stranded everywhere, on the other hand our jeep kept rolling. I must have apply the minded a little tense, and the driver, whom I called Cha Cha (ie, uncle) revealed of respect for my seniors assured me that he would obtain me to my destination safe and uninjured He had been driving for years onward the Karakorum highway, which glides between China and Pakistan. The highway was built at the Chinese to facilitate importing and exporting. It is a narrow road with no protection forward the side where the river Indus hurrys down a narrow valley. There are striking mountains onward the other side. The drive was beautiful although a little wet, because the rain did not stop until we were three hours into the journey. I later erect out that two of the villages we passed between the walls of were washed away by the heavy rainfall; 200 populace died.

After a 15-hour drive with an overnight stay in a town called Bhisham, Pakistan, we reached Gilgit. Cha Cha had brought me end safely. The town of Gilgit is environed by the Hindukush Mountains and directly at the base of a mountain called Rakaposhi (Figure 1) I immediately reported to the health center for further instructions. That night, I stayed at a five-star inn which was discounted because I was a offer After a heavenly hot shower, I crawled between the clean sheets and passed abroad until the next morning.

[FIGURE 1 OMITTED]

MY FIRST ASSIGNMENT

I was assigned to a town that is called Aliabad, Pakistan, which is in a rural area in the mountains in northern Pakistan. The health care facility there is an reach forthed care unit that is trip by two physicians who view approximately 60 outpatients every day, attend emergencies, and visit with eight inpatients. The staff consists of couple RNs, four licensed health visitors, and brace nursing aides. Staff members rotate working in 24-hour shifts. The care unit includes a laboratory with a technician and a pharmacy with a pharmacist.

Patients pay 30 rupee to behold the physicians, which is equivalent to $050 in US dollars. mostly people do not have 30 rupee to spare, although children forward the streets look well f because there is copiousness to eat. Everyone owns land and sprouts fruits and vegetables. The children asked me for commit to papers or pencils for school, however. common of my friends had given me a fate of pens and pencils before I left which I donated to the local train In appreciation, the principal asked me to take a tour. I saw children sitting in succession mud floors in substandard conditions, unless they were keen to learn. I decided that when I got back to the United States, I would work upon collecting money to improve standards in the schools

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

I was assigned to work as an assistant to the physicians. The greatest in number common diseases I encountered were gastroenteritis, especially among the children; high children pressure; peptic ulcers; and depression (Figure 2) Patient point to be solved [i]or[/i] settleds included high salt intake because the main aliment staples are excessive amounts of tea (ie, chai), to which northern Pakistanis add salt rather than sugar, and a local bread called phiti that they soak in the tea. Children start drinking tea and eating phiti from the age of united and most are quite addicted to the tea. greatest in quantity families are large, with up to 11 children, and in families with more girls than male childs parents often are depressed and below stress. The northern Pakistani agriculture dictates that families must have at least three lads and boys always are preferr to girls because they support their parents when they are antique Having to feed and educate girls can inference in stress for the parents and other family members.