Stories

< back to the Stories page

Arrived in Africa – March 16, 2009

Despite some initial trepidation about transporting four boxes of equipment to Nigeria, I made it! I found a way to stuff the boxes inside suitcases to make them less obvious, then carried the new 50″ hospital antenna in a poster tube, and slipped out of the airport without any difficulties.

Idris was waiting for me outside of the airport. He’s a wonderful young man who was my driver on the last two trips. He drove four hours to the airport, and is now staying overnight in Abuja with me so that we can drive safely back to Zaria in the morning.

I’m so excited to be here. I have been in communication with hospital staff members over the last week. They are eager to try out the new equipment, and have been collecting data this week to document the challenges of providing medical care when lighting and communication are impaired.

Tomorrow I’ll call Muyi Lawal, the CEO of Solar Electric Systems, Ltd., to confirm the start date for the photovoltaic installation in the hospital. Among the many items I carried on the plane are 30 LED lightbulbs, designed to last for years, that we’ll be using to bring night light to the maternity ward, labor and delivery, and operating room.

RECENT STORIES

In One Place, Together

Fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other rapid onset disasters cripple existing infrastructure, threatening public health and safety. The electrical power supply system is often one of the first services to collapse in the event of a

Read More »

For Jacinta, with Love

It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of our beloved Jacinta after a long illness. Through it all, she never stopped exploring, engaging, or sharing and she lived her final year

Read More »

Filling the Void

By Lindsay Maida, of The James and Sharon Maida Foundation Often when we consider global health and health care delivery, the patient is commonly thought

Read More »

Midwifery Made Easier

Imagine delivering a baby without light. Rosette Uwayezu, the 23-year-old midwife in charge of maternity services at Green Valley Health Center II, knows what its

Read More »