hospital visits

One of the things teams do when they come to Zambia is visit the local hospitals. Today we went to the adult and children's hospital to visit with the patients and families there.

The adult hospital

We had gift bags (with a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, washcloth, nshima, and some candies), and some toothbrushes and toothpaste and some stuffed animals to give out to each of the patients we met in the hospital.


Visiting a hospital in Zambia is always a very humbling experience. The people there are always so grateful for visitors from Canada and truly appreciate the conversation and small gifts we leave with them.

It was not an easy day seeing people suffering and in so much pain and not being able to help. Seeing sick children with big eyes staring up at you as their moms sit helpless at their bedside is heartbreaking.

It makes me appreciate that at home we do not have overflowing malnutrition wards with two patients per bed and more in the hallways because there just is not enough room for everyone in need. Of course our medical system is not perfect and I have to admit that I spent some time at a hospital clinic in Ndola last month and was very impressed with the level of service I received. . .but then again I was able to afford the charges at a high-cost private clinic.

Here are a few pictures of some of the people we met today:

The mother (on the right) just had triplets last week and they were being discharged just as we met them (although twins are very common in Zambia, triplets are a bit of an anomaly).

The children's hospital