Day 15

Yesterday we met some really interesting people. Professor Jenny Hamilton was here from the International Distance Learning programme at the University of London. When we were here in Uganda last August we brought with us application forms for distance learning programmes from all sorts of places. Since then one of the condemned prisoners has signed up to do a law degree via the University of London and Jenny had come out here to meet him, bring some books and generally offer some support. I so admire this mans determination. In the evening we had dinner with his wife who has been supporting him and trying to get his case to appeal for the last 10 years. His story is awful - having been framed for a crime he didn't commit. Even though the authorities are aware of who did it (this other man is on the run) they have little evidence. In the meantime he is studying law in the hope that it will benefit his own case and that of other prisoners - amazing!

The neighbours children yesterday, fascinated by the Muzungus (white people) sitting on the balcony!

Today, we have had a really interesting and productive day (not that all the others haven't been of course!). We again visited Murchison Bay Prison Hospital to carry on our discussions with the medical staff there regarding the provision of palliative care. The staff are very frustrated and, in their own words, stressed. They understand the concepts of palliative and holistic care but just don't have the first idea of how to put it into practice. They have little or no support and find caring for dying patients very stressful. They often have patients who die in a lot of pain as they don't how to help them. Nutrition is non existent - the patients diet consists wholly of beans and millet porridge. One of the nurses explained her frustration at trying to get that down a naso-gastirc tube!!! From my own experience I would say it was practically impossible, yet they water it down to try and get something into the patient. There are little resources yet they are very proud of their hospital. It is neat and tidy and very ordered.
Prisoners die in Murchison Bay Hospital all the time, usually from illnesses such as HIV/Aids and Cancer. Often their symptoms are not addressed and this is basically down to a lack of knowledge.
Today, there were two nurses on duty for the whole hospital (122 patients and an outpatients running) and three doctors.
We spent some time with them going through our workbook and palliative care toolkit and explaining how to undertake a holistic assessment of a patient, for which they were so grateful. Again, it is only a small beginning, but the idea is that they start to impart their knowledge to the carers and attendants on the wards, so that gradually, what is a new concept and way of working, will become 'the norm'.
It makes me so grateful for where I work. We have so much, compared to their so little.
We should be very thankful.

Condemned Section (Death row), Luzira Prison - where we will be spending Saturday and Sunday.

Tomorrow and Sunday we will be spending our time in the Condemned Section of Luzira Prison.
The prisoners have been told we are coming and are excited by the prospect!!!!!
Rather scarily (!) 14 chickens have just been delivered which are dinner for the prisoners on Easter Sunday. Apparently, Christopher, Daphne and I have to take them with us to the prison tomorrow. Oh, did I mention that they are still alive?!!!!!!!

Easter Sunday lunch for the prisoners!!

Lots of love

Catherine and Christopher xx