New term for me - "hacking". So, I was in the ambulance headed to Iba where the hospital is located so I could view the facility. Part way there the doctor gets a call and we turn around an go back because there has been a "hacking". Sure, ok. On arrival back at the clinic there is a flurry of activity and a couple police officers present. Apparently, hacking is a fight with a large, machette-like knife. Three patients are wounded with one having 8+ wounds on various locations and a possible fractured arm. The doctor takes this patient and I attend to another that has multiple superficial lacs and a deep lac to the shoulder. Asked if I would suture him, I said sure. Try as I might, I couldn't get the 2.0 suture through the tough Filipino farmer's skin - it was like pounding a nail in concrete. Letting pride go, I watched as one of the staff members made quick work of it. After everyone was patched up, the first patient was loaded in the ambulance for a ride to the hospital. Hacking - interesting.
I was given a tour of the various departments of this ~ 150 bed hospital. It's somewhat like other hospitals in developing countries with lacking many of the resources required but they seem to be creative and successful. I've been very impressed the the knowledge and competent level of care given by both the nurses and the doctor.
These are some thoughts and photos during my travels and providing health care around the world.
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