Doti

We are surprised but it is lovely to be back in Dhangadi and even Hotel Saathi!  Not that Doti wasn't great, although there wasn't a great deal to do after work, but we did use he time to catch up on report writing.


The drive was incredible - views across to the Himalaya which, unfortunately, were obscured by rain on the way back.


Stayed in a guest house with the most incredible views.  The clinic sees around 700 patients and has the least access to things like medications and investigations of anywhere we have been.  The staff also don't get much supervision - locally at least - although are excellent and work 7 days a week 24 hours a day.  Patients may walk 2-5 days to clinic so if they pitch up in the middle of the night it's hard to say "come back tomorrow".


Women with problems in labour face a tough time as there are no obstetricians and no facility for Caesarean sections...  if it's a really tough call then the choice is usually to save the woman over the baby as she can "always get pregnant again".....


Town itself quite beautiful  a long main street down the spine of a hill - and you will see some (hopefully) good pictures.  


It was our first "goodbye" to a site we have mentored and they were incredibly sweet and grateful.  Very humbling indeed.  As usual news of our presence had spread like wildfire and people came from far to be seen by the foreign doctors....


The journey back today was hair raising.  We awoke to pouring rain and a powercut.  Packed by torchlight but we were unsure if the driver would be happy to attempt the rather tricky road....  he did so masterfully though - negotiating landslides and falling rocks!  Thanks heavens for 4 wheel drives...  Helen (sensible) slept most of the way leaving me doing the looking out - gripping on tightly and plugged into my iPhone in hope of some sensory deprivation and a bit of inner calm!  (wasn't too bad really, but being dramatic is so much more fun.  Did have it's moments though).


So now we're back and catching up.  A period of assimilation ahead as we plan all of our reports and feedbacks, as well as doing some more mentoring and attending debrief sessions.


Was very sorry to miss Anthem at the RVT last Friday.  Every best wish to PJ for this coming Friday, and much love and congratulations to Lydia and Tim on the (final and arduous but well worth it?) arrival of Miss Rosa Isobella MaGuire.  I look forward to the pictures!


Hope everyone else is well and thanks for the messages whist I have been away.


Tristan xx