Things have definitely improved for the thousands of people who live in the radius of the Marietta Steinberg Health Center. Instances of malaria have decreased, which our partners on the ground attribute to their educational programs and distribution of mosquito nets. Once a month, the doctor brings in outside services to offer vaccinations, and it's always a busy day at the health center, with about 80 children getting vaccinated.
Christopher, a preacher from the area, says that the health center has saved many lives. Before it was built, Christopher and his neighbors had a very difficult journey to a heath facility.
Only in the most dire circumstances would people undertake the journey. When a woman was in labor, for instance, she would sometimes be carried by her neighbors the six miles. Now, people don't have to wait for an emergency to seek out medical services.
But Dr. Joseph will be the first to tell you that the need in this community is great, and there is much more to be done.
The symptoms of malaria are intense: vomiting and diarrhea, severe headaches, and sometimes convulsions. While the doctor waits to release patients until the symptoms have subsided slightly, he currently cannot keep them as long as would be ideal.
And malaria is just one of the many issues that brings people to the health center.
Find out what happens to women in labor who come to deliver at the health center, and steps we need to take to make sure women and their babies have healthy deliveries, by checking back in on Friday.
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