By Agostina Mercado
On June 4, 2024, we set out to Chiwang'onmbe Village to carry out the MOH Mobile Medical Clinic service. Going into this experience, I didn't know what to expect, but I felt a strong sense of responsibility to provide the best and most efficient care that I could given the resources available to us in the village. This intention was also present among my fellow classmates and program leaders, and it was reflected in our collective efforts throughout the day.
Upon arrival at Chiwang'onmbe, I was shocked by the amount of people gathered near the community center pavilion waiting to be handed a numbered slip granting them the opportunity to receive medical attention. We passed the pavilion before joining the community in prayer and I caught a glimpse of slips with numbers as high as 345. There were still more people left to be checked in!
Our group of volunteers split up and joined the clinic staff in a variety of stations, including those covering patient registration, vital sign check, Malaria testing, doctor consultations, and pharmacy prep. First I headed to the pharmacy, where I helped organize prescriptions for some time. I then switched stations and went on to check vital signs for the rest of the day.
I especially enjoyed interacting with patients at the vital sign station, and though the language barrier made it challenging to communicate, I made every effort to connect with them by using familiar greetings such as "Ali bwanji!" and introducing myself. This made all the difference.
The majority of the patients I received were mothers with symptoms of acute illness that had been drawn out for some time. They would often present their children's medical booklets first, and this act of putting their children first reminded me of the strength of a mother's love and dedication.
Despite facing difficult circumstances, patients in Chiwang'onmbe never hesitated to offer a warm and cheerful smile. Their resilience in the face of hardship is truly inspiring, and it's in community that they find the strength to move forward. This is especially true for children in the villages who often grow to support one another. They're contagious laughs and playful dances are things I'll never forget.
My experience in the Mobile Medical Clinic was incredibly impactful and rewarding. Although we were there for one day of service with the clinic, I felt that we were contributing to something bigger than this single experience-- we made a difference in the lives of our patients and strengthened the Ministry of Hope's commitment to serving the Malawian people.
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