Wednesdays in Galmi

Wednesdays are a big deal in Galmi.  There are the cinnamon buns at 10:00 at the CC.  As well the local butcher comes up in his motorcycle with the meat covered in plastic wrap on the back of the bike.  At the cinnamon bun gathering people discuss who will be going to the Market and when.  It is best to go with someone who speaks Hausa, especially if you plan on bargaining.   You can buy almost anything at the market. Food and spices. Fabric. The latest fashions (I don’t know for sure, but I think they’re knock-offs).  All sorts of electronics including cel phone adaptors and USB cords (they may not meet some of the usual standards).  Last week I did not get to have a cinnamon bun, but this week I did.  I didn’t go to the market today; the clinic was too busy.

My Wednesday, on the other hand, started pretty early.  I was already up and thinking of going for a walk (I still can’t run and it’s frustrating) when I got called by the person on call for OB at about 0600.  It seems there were 2 people he thought needed a caesarean section, and He thought one of them had a ruptured uterus.  It turns out both of them had a ruptured uterus.  We made good time and I was starting the second caesarean by 0645, but unfortunately neither of the babies survived.  Both of the uteri (yes that’s the plural) were ruptured, the first worse than the second.  I have never done back to back caesareans that fast, and I have never had 2 ruptured uteri in a month let alone a day.  They are unfortunately common here – to the point where there is a hospital policy that you automatically tie tubes if you do a caesarean for a ruptured uterus. 

 

The women all carry their children on a sling on their back.  Sometimes you can’t even tell because they have so many layers on.   I took a picture of this girl carrying a smaller girl – I think it is her sister, but I can’t be 100% sure.  Women often get married around age 12 here, and if they haven’t had a child by the time they are 15 or 16 they are coming to see you for infertility.   Average number of children per woman is 8 (Average!).  Tying tubes is actually a pretty big deal if it isn’t for solid medical reasons.  Women all want to have kids until they can’t have any more.  It is a very different culture here.

1 Peter 2:15 ESV

For this is the will have God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.