Top Ten

Upon further reflection on my trip to the hospital, I realized that I left out a lot of important (and entertaining) details concerning my time there. So here are the top ten ways you know that you are in a Ugandan hospital, not an American hospital:

1. The doctor looks about 20. Maybe 23 at most.

2. When taking blood, a latex glove is tied around your arm. To the point that your arm turns a bluish/purple color.

3. One of the supplies for taking a blood culture is aluminum foil over the top of a glass bottle.

4. Anyone can read your chart. This is to include any hospital employee, fellow patient, or any random person roaming the halls. Definitely no HIPAA laws here.

5. The waiting room and halls are filled with people lying on grass mats on the floor.

6. Your total bill is less than $10.

7. The TB ward is next to the children’s ward.

8. A 20-something boy tries to come see the doctor with you. You say no. So does the doctor.

9. The toilet is a hole in the ground.

10. You are asked to name your tribe. When you respond, “none”, you receive blank stares. You finally state, “America.”