Day 15 Ilula Blog/Monday/28Jan19/

The Ilula Hospital area bells rang as usual at 0500, 0545, and 0600. That sound usually signals the sleeping runner/walker members of our group to take a jaunt before the sun is up, but not today. After tea/coffee and one of Anna's fritter balls, the packed coaster bus of 30 (some hospital staff and those staying with Dr. Saga included) left the compound at 0636 for the ride to day 1 of the Sixth Annual Ilula-Minnesota International Healthcare Conference in Iringa (at the Primary Health Care Institute).  Edyta, Kat, Kari, and Michaela however, separately taxied from the compound to an all-girl Maasai school and the Ilula Orphanage Program for I.T./electric circuitry initiatives. Alas for today, we had no church service and morning report.

The conference bus arrived at about 0750 and the group quickly set up the registration table, audio-video equipment, and computer connections for the 0800 start. The King family group, a major meeting sponsor, welcomed us and attended part of the meeting. 

The 2-day meeting agenda may be available on another document for those interested. The conference seating was full with over 120 attendees including presenters. Overall today’s meeting was well received and participants averaged about 3 questions (asked in the usual African respectful and quiet way) in the limited time after each of 12 presentations. There was also a separate afternoon breakout session on preeclampsia/eclampsia for those interested.

The return bus left Iringa at 1745 and arrived in Ilula at 1850. Anna and her kitchen assistants provided our evening meal which included the usual yellow rice, spaghetti, a meaty red sauce, a mushroom sauce dish, pineapple and mango pieces, and a spinach dish. And we were very hungry after a long day….

The fields and hills around Ilula appear bountiful and verdant (the rainy season has started) and common crops seen are corn, beans, and tomatoes. 

Some trivia:

Price of gasoline: 2359 Tz shillings/L

Exchange rate: (100 USD bill): 2300 Tz shillings /1 USD

Common bottled water brands: Kilimanjaro, Udzungwa

Common beer brands: Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Safari, Tusker

The Ilula hospital has not been able to do x-rays, ecg, and serums for creatinine, albumin, sickle cell testing, iron, or liver function….HIV-RNA now is being processed regularly (sent to Iringa), but cd4 not so much

Michael Madalon