Final Reflection on Ghana

I have been back in the US for four days, and I wanted to do a final post on my experience in Ghana. My month spent in Cape Coast was life-changing and eye-opening. The organization that I went through, Child Family Health International (CFHI), works with their students to help us understand how healthcare is delivered in our host country. Instead of going for a week and providing medical care through a volunteer organization, we work with local physicians in the hospital to experience healthcare delivery on a day-to-day basis. As you know from my previous posts, seeing the healthcare disparities in Ghana and in many African countries was heart-breaking. I have spoken with many of my friends since returning about my experience, and whether they come from a medical background or not, they realize the differences in healthcare delivery and resources. No matter where I was working in the hospital, all of my fellow physicians knew exactly what they should be doing. The problem in Ghana is that the resources are not the same. They may not have the first-line medication or surgery. Another issue is the ability for patients and their families to pay for services up front before services being rendered. This is still one of the hardest things for me to fathom. I saw so many patients who would benefit from a certain medication or ICU care, but ended up dying on the ward due to inability to pay. As I have said before, the US healthcare system has issues, and I am not trying to take away from issues that many Americans have. I believe that healthcare is an inalienable right and should be available to everyone around the world regardless of nationality, race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and so many other things that somehow define privilege. As I continue fighting healthcare disparities in the US, I will be helping to raise awareness of the issues globally as well.

Thank you all for going on this journey with me. I am incredibly grateful for the thoughts and prayers throughout my trip.

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 21, 2021 at 5:14 PM

    I had my TL a little more than a year ago when my third child was born via c-section. I was not told ANYTHING about the possible side effects of having this proceedure. Since then I have experienced heavy bleeding lasting sometimes 3 weeks out of the month, weight gain, severe mood swings. Severe cramping, changes to my libido, severe depression accompanied by suicidal thoughts, headaches, migraines, many new symptoms & older issues are now exacerbated. The father of two of my children doesn't want me anymore. I've become too much of a pain in the ass I guess. We don't talk. We don't sleep in the same bed. I think he might really think I am crazy... & maybe I am. I feel crazy a lot of the time.
    I'm unpredictable. I feel so angry about the whole thing & now what was once a mild fear of doctors has exploded into full on white coat syndrome that causes me to have a panic attack/hypertensive emergency (severe increase in blood pressure) whenever I have to deal with them. I'm not sure what to do... I fear the next time I have to see a doctor I'll have a stroke or a heart attack from the stress & anxiety of it... what do I do? I take my time and keep searching on internet looking for natural healing that how I came across Dr Itua herbal center website and I was so excited when Dr Itua told me to calm down that he will help me with his natural remedy I put my hope on him so I purchase his herbal medicines which was shipped to my address I used it as prescribed guess what? I'm totally healed my cramp pain is gone completely I also used his Anti Bacteria herbal medicines it's works for me very well I want anyone with health problem to contact Dr Itua herbal center for any kind diseases remedies such as Parkinson, Herpes, ALS, MS, Diabetes, Hepatitis, Hiv/Aids,Cancers, Men & Women Infertility, I got his email address  drituaherbalcenter@gmail.com he has any kind of herbal remedies for women & men also for our babes. I really miss my Hunni...he's a fantastic father & a good man. He doesn't deserve this. I feel like an empty shell of who I used to be.

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