The Haydom Health blog is currently in development. Resources will be added as permitted by time. In the mean-time take a look Haydom.com for more information and news.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Donate to Haydom Lutheran Hospital
Photographer: UNAMID
Do you wish to donate to Haydom Lutheran Hospital? My donation campaign has ended but you can donate directly to Haydom Luthean Hospital here: http://www.haydom.com/?page_id=24
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Haydom's History
The information below comes from the Official Haydom Lutheran Hospital website (www.haydom.com).
The tsetse fly problem
In the beginning of the 1950s Haydom was an uninhabited bush. Tsetse flies made the area uninhabitable for people, but the area was fruitful: there was an extensive animal kingdom and dry, but luxuriant vegetation.
Fifty years later, Haydom is a village with one of Tanzania’s best hospitals, schools and education at collage level, churches and assembly houses, stores, guest house and trade, a network of roads that connects the town to a large surrounding area, their own water supply, electricity and air strip – and en elite of educated humans that are engaged in further develop their town and country.
It is the Haydom Mountain that has given the hospital its name. The name “Haydom” comes from the local datog language and has the meaning of “red oxen”. The Detog people needed a name for the surrounding mountains, so that they could tell the others where they had been with their cattle. The mountain was often avoided, as there was said to be a curse over it; the one who took his cattle inn to the bush area around the mountain, could suddenly lose the whole herd. People going up the mountain would also be affected and could catch a fever, headache and dive of in unwillingly sleepiness, tiredness and sometimes death.
The disease was known as the sleeping disease, and made the area remain inhabitable. It wasn’t a curse from forefathers or spirits that haunted the area, but tsetse flies that had settled down in the forest and bushes surrounding the mountain. The solution to the problem was easier than first believed; If you cut down the forest, the flies would disappear as well. And so it was that the Norwegian Lutheran Mission was able to build a hospital at Haydom.
The Official Opening
In 1963 was the administration of the Hospital handed over to the local church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT). The hospital is under the Medical Board which in turn is elected by the General Assembly of ELCT, Mbulu Synod.
After an obvious need to expand, the Lutheran World Federation, OXFAM (UK) and “Brot für die Welt” (Germany) funded the extension to a capacity of 250 beds. The hospital was officially opened by the then President, J.K. Nyerere. Since then, the hospital has expanded with a modern building for laboratory and pediatric ward (Lena Ward).
Today HLH has a total of 400 beds, but most of the time the number of inpatients is more than that. The hospital has been part of the Tanzanian central health plan since the official opening in 1967.
Where is Haydom
Adapted from image by Peterfitzgerald via Wikicommons
Haydom Hospital is located in Rural Tanzania.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Basic Clinical Skills
Click on the Tutorials below to view further information concerning the topic.
Clinical Examination
Performing a Cardiovascular Clinical Exam
Cardiovascular exams are used in conjunction with the appropriate history taking to ascertain the likelihood of a cardiovascular disease (e.g. congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, infective endocarditis and so on).
Performing a Respiratory Clinical Exam
Respiratory exams are used in conjunction with the appropriate history taking to ascertain the likelihood of a respiratory disease (e.g. upper respiratory tract infection, asthma, pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism and so on).
How to perform a Gastrointestinal Clinical Exam
Gastrointestinal or Abdominal examination is used in combination with suitable history taking to determine the likely disease process (e.g. hepatitis, gastroenteritis, appendicitis and so on).
An Introduction to the Musculoskeletal Clinical Exam
Musculoskeletal Clinical Exams are used in conjunction with the appropriate history taking to ascertain the likelihood of a disorder within the bone or muscles structures. The two main categories into which these disorders can be split into are Disease and Trauma.
Clinical Examination of the Spine
The Spine (Vertebral Column) serves a number of purposes (protection, muscle and ligament attachment, haematopoiesis and so on) and consequently has a range of associated pathologies. Musculoskeletal examination of the spine focuses on determining diseases and disorders that specifically effect that system in relation to the spine.
How to perform a Neurological Clinical Exam
Another important tool in a clinician's toolset. Neurological Clinical Exams are used in a variety of settings from the GP Clinic to in the Intensive Care Unit. This will take you through some basic anatomy, examination of the upper & lower limbs, and examination of the cranial nerves.
How to perform a Clinical Eye Exam
The eye allows us to observe the world around us, but it can also provide clinician's a window into a person's health. Often neglected and left to those dreaming of working as an Ophthalmologist, students and junior doctors alike miss out on a valuable source of information. Here the basics of the Clinical Eye Examination are introduced including reference to Dr John L Colvin and Dr Joseph A Reich's 35 Golden Rules of Eye Care.
History Taking
A Guide to taking a Psychiatric History
There are some areas like Psychiatry, where taking a good and thorough history can be more of a challenge for a medical student. The purpose of taking a Psychiatric History can split into three main things; diagnostic, to gain a biopsychosocial understanding of the patient’s problem, and therapeutic/psycho-educational.This guide sets out a basic structure by which these goals can be achieved.
Presentation Skills
Clinical Skills
A Quick Guide to ECG
ECG is a valuable tool in a clinician’s diagnostic toolset, however for some it’s just not easy to pick up. Most individuals skilled in ECG have achieved proficiency through practice and exposure, as interpreting ECG in the long term is a matter of pattern recognition. This post hopes to bring things back to basics.
A Quick Guide to Chest X-Ray Interpretation
Chest X-Rays (CXR) are routine investigation in clinical practice and consequently it is important for medical students and clinician’s alike to know how to interpret them. With time and practice, interpreting CXRs will become easier, but first you have to find an approach that works for you. This Guide provides you with basics and a number of approaches to help you get started.
The essentials of Basic Life Support
Basic Life Support forms a foundation level of care for treating patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries, until the appropriate medical care can be provided. This post will run you through DRSABCD and more.
Clinical Examination
Performing a Cardiovascular Clinical ExamCardiovascular exams are used in conjunction with the appropriate history taking to ascertain the likelihood of a cardiovascular disease (e.g. congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, infective endocarditis and so on).
Performing a Respiratory Clinical ExamRespiratory exams are used in conjunction with the appropriate history taking to ascertain the likelihood of a respiratory disease (e.g. upper respiratory tract infection, asthma, pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism and so on).
How to perform a Gastrointestinal Clinical Exam Gastrointestinal or Abdominal examination is used in combination with suitable history taking to determine the likely disease process (e.g. hepatitis, gastroenteritis, appendicitis and so on).
An Introduction to the Musculoskeletal Clinical ExamMusculoskeletal Clinical Exams are used in conjunction with the appropriate history taking to ascertain the likelihood of a disorder within the bone or muscles structures. The two main categories into which these disorders can be split into are Disease and Trauma.
Clinical Examination of the Spine
The Spine (Vertebral Column) serves a number of purposes (protection, muscle and ligament attachment, haematopoiesis and so on) and consequently has a range of associated pathologies. Musculoskeletal examination of the spine focuses on determining diseases and disorders that specifically effect that system in relation to the spine.
How to perform a Neurological Clinical ExamAnother important tool in a clinician's toolset. Neurological Clinical Exams are used in a variety of settings from the GP Clinic to in the Intensive Care Unit. This will take you through some basic anatomy, examination of the upper & lower limbs, and examination of the cranial nerves.
How to perform a Clinical Eye ExamThe eye allows us to observe the world around us, but it can also provide clinician's a window into a person's health. Often neglected and left to those dreaming of working as an Ophthalmologist, students and junior doctors alike miss out on a valuable source of information. Here the basics of the Clinical Eye Examination are introduced including reference to Dr John L Colvin and Dr Joseph A Reich's 35 Golden Rules of Eye Care.
History Taking
There are some areas like Psychiatry, where taking a good and thorough history can be more of a challenge for a medical student. The purpose of taking a Psychiatric History can split into three main things; diagnostic, to gain a biopsychosocial understanding of the patient’s problem, and therapeutic/psycho-educational.This guide sets out a basic structure by which these goals can be achieved.
Presentation Skills
Clinical Skills
A Quick Guide to ECGECG is a valuable tool in a clinician’s diagnostic toolset, however for some it’s just not easy to pick up. Most individuals skilled in ECG have achieved proficiency through practice and exposure, as interpreting ECG in the long term is a matter of pattern recognition. This post hopes to bring things back to basics.
Chest X-Rays (CXR) are routine investigation in clinical practice and consequently it is important for medical students and clinician’s alike to know how to interpret them. With time and practice, interpreting CXRs will become easier, but first you have to find an approach that works for you. This Guide provides you with basics and a number of approaches to help you get started.
Basic Life Support forms a foundation level of care for treating patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries, until the appropriate medical care can be provided. This post will run you through DRSABCD and more.
About Haydom Hospital
The information below comes from the Official Haydom Lutheran Hospital website (www.haydom.com).
Haydom Lutheran Hospital is located in the North of Tanzania, around 300 km South-West of Arusha. In the Mbulu area we are the largest hospital, with more than 400 beds, serving around 300.000 people directly and 2.000.000 as referral hospital.
In the beginning of the 1950s Haydom was an uninhabited bush. Tsetse flies made the area uninhabitable for people, but the area was fruitful: there was an extensive animal kingdom and dry, but luxuriant vegetation.
Fifty years later, Haydom is a village with one of Tanzania’s best hospitals, schools and education at collage level, churches and assembly houses, stores, guest house and trade, a network of roads that connects the town to a large surrounding area, their own water supply, electricity and air strip – and en elite of educated humans that are engaged in further develop their town and country.
Health Resources
This section will eventually contain a list of useful health resources relevant to Haydom Tanzania.
Join Us
Have been to Haydom Lutheran Hospital in the past or plan to do so in the future?
HaydomHealth was setup to collate the the initial journey of one medical student to Haydom Lutheran Hospital (HLH). However, the plan was always to provide other volunteers, doctors and nurses with a place to share their experiences as well.
We are always looking for those who have been to HLH and would like to share their experiences with the greater world. If you wish to join as an author or a guest blogger or have a story to tell, contact us at aaron [at] ivline.info.
Experience Africa
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Volunteering at Haydom
The information below comes from the Official Haydom Lutheran Hospital website (www.haydom.com).
Volunteers & Students
Every year there are many people visiting or working at Haydom Lutheran Hospital. The most common visitors are doctors and dentists, nurses and midwives, medical and nursing students, volunteers, research applicants, casual visitors and hospital friends.
All visitors are very much appreciated as they make a welcomed addition to our staff and surroundings. If you wish to visit Haydom, please send a request to expats(a)haydom.co.tz. Write your request in English to help our staff. Tell us who you are, how many you are, when you wish to come, how long you are planning to stay and what the purpose of your visit is.
Please send the request some time in advance so that we can make the proper arrangements for your stay at Haydom Lutheran Hospital. Haydom normally splits its visitors into the following categories:
Doctors or Dentists
Someone with a medical or dental degree, possibly with postgraduate specialist training You are registered as a doctor, dentist or medical practitioner in the country where you now are working You want to work in the clinical area as a doctor or dentist while at Haydom Volunteer doctors and dentists have played an important part in the service provided by HLH. We appreciate your intention to do the same and look forward to communicating with you about your plans. To work as a doctor/dentist at Haydom you need to do the registrations and provide the required documents informed about on the “Information for doctors and dentists”-site.
Nurses and Midwives
Someone with a registered nursing diploma or degree, possibly with postgraduate specialist training You are registered as a nurse or midwife in the country where you are now working You want to work in the clinical area as a nurse or midwife while at Haydom Volunteer nurses and midwives have given important service in teaching and in the clinical area at Haydom. They are great resources both in practical teaching or lectures for the local nurses/midwives, and also by giving lectures for the nursing students at the school. We appreciate your interest in similar service and look forward to communicate with you about your plans. To work as a nurse/midwife at Haydom you need to do the registrations and provide the required documents informed about on the “Information for nurses and midwives”-site.
Students
You are a student at a recognized University or University Collage and you are looking for internship or elective, or you want to do descriptive research as required by your School with an attachment at Haydom for gathering of information. HLH has an on-going program accepting medical and nursing students for attachments of these types. Students from other professions are also welcomed to apply for a visit to Haydom. For more information and for the required documents needed to stay at Haydom, see the “Information for student”-site.
Volunteer
Someone who would like to work at the hospital, but don’t have a medical background. Professionals in the field of Finance, IT and Human Resources can be a great addition to the hospital, but other workers are also welcome. You don’t need to be a real professional to support Haydom with the important work. There are volunteers who are joining the outreach program, work at the Child Care Unit (CCU) or they are organizing sport activities for the local community. You can always find meaningful activities and assignments to work with. Read “Information for other volunteers” for more information about required documents.
Casual Visitor
You are someone who wishes to visit the hospital for a short time for some reason You are not a personal visitor of any staff member You do not intend to work or study at the hospital.
Hospital Friend
You are a personal visitor of a staff member at the hospital You do not intend to work or study at the hospital.
Before you make any plans to take leave from your work and family, book flights and turn up at Haydom, please read the pages on our web site and to the necessary preparations. A lot of you questions will be answered here. If you have more questions after this, please do not hesitate to contact us. See the “Contact”-site for contact details.
Departments
The information below comes from the Official Haydom Lutheran Hospital website (www.haydom.com).
The hospital consists of several clinical departments. Here is information about some of them. For further and more up to date details about each department click here.
Reception
When patients arrive at Haydom, they either go to the reception or to the OPD. The most serious cases from the OPD are also sent to the reception. In the reception the patients are given a medical examination before they are admitted and transferred to the specific clinical departments.
Surgical Department
The surgical department is divided between Surgical 1 (general ward) and Surgical 2. All patients with fractures are admitted to Surgical 2 for pre- and post-operative care. Other patients in need of surgery are admitted to the general ward. Trauma and cancer patients are also admitted here.
Paediatric Department
The paediatric department of HLH is called Lena Ward, this is where the children are admitted.
HIV/Aids Clinic
Patients are not admitted to the HIV/Aids clinic, they come here to get the diagnosis, consultation, observation, registration and free medicine. If the patients are very sick, they are admitted to another ward for treatment. The clinic also arranges large informational meetings to increase the knowledge about HIV and Aids.
Diabetes Clinic
Patients with symptoms of diabetes go to the Diabetes Clinic to get the final diagnosis. Here they consultation, treatment and medication for both type 1 and type 2.
Maternity and Gynecology
Gynaecological treatment and all treatment of pregnant women; labour, premature, ante-natal and post-natal.
Dental Clinic
When patients with teeth problems come to the OPD or another ward, they are given an appointment at the dental clinic. Here they get an examination and x-ray and medication if necessary.
Physiotherapy
The physiotherapy department treats patients upon requests from doctors at the different wards. They help patients from all departments. The patients either come to the physiotherapy department, or the staff members from the physiotherapy department visit the patients at the ward where they are admitted. Because this is one of few physiotherapy departments in a very large area, patients also come to the department from other hospitals. The physiotherapists help patients with gymnastics, rehabilitation, breathing exercises, preventing muscle contractures and starting to move again after lying still for a long time.
Internal Medicine
Medical cases without need of surgery are admitted to the Old Ward for treatment. This is one of the biggest wards of the hospital.
Outreach
The outreach department goes out of the hospital and sets up small clinics. They go to about 27 different locations. The outreach department of Haydom covers a very large area. Some of the locations are outside of the Manyara region and have to be reached by plane. On the outreaches children are weighed, registered, vaccinated and given vitamins. The pregnant women are registered and examined. The clinic also offers free HIV tests and educate people in health and more.
Out Patient Department (OPD)
Outpatients from Haydom village and the area around the hospital come to the OPD to be examined, receive medicine and treatment. The most serious cases are referred to the reception for further treatment at the hospital. The eye clinic, dental clinic and physiotherapy are also parts of the OPD.
Psychiatry
The psychiatry department treats both inpatients and outpatients. The department is divided into three: treatment of outpatients, treatment of inpatients (from the other wards) and Amani Ward were patients suffering from serious substance abuse are admitted for detox and rehabilitation.
About the Authors
HaydomHealth.org was started to share the experiences of those volunteering at Haydom Lutheran Hospital (HLH). To raise awareness about some of the challenges facing the hospital, but also the heart-warming stories of it's workers, volunteers and patients. Finally to act as another starting point for those interested in volunteering at HLH in the future. HaydomHealth.org is largely informal, and there are many other websites from which you can find information (Official Hospital Site: Haydom.com), so get exploring.
Founder/Editor
Aaron is a final year medical student at the University of Queensland, who is undertaking a 6-week medical elective at HLH from March - May 2013. He started off this blog largely to capture his own experiences, but also to raise awareness of life at Haydom Lutheran Hospital.
Aaron has his own blog at IVLine.info which focuses on investigating and sharing information on public health issues, clinical and biomedical sciences and medical education (occasionally diving into Australian Health Policy issues). He also is a guest blogger on Lifeinthefastlane.com a blog dedicated to providing online emergency medicine and critical care insights and education for everyone, everywhere.
However, if you wish to find him quickly, the best place is on twitter at @IVLine.
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