Free Rangin...

Today was truly our first “Free Range” opportunity and what a day it was! We went to a brand new CHC (Comprehensive Healthcare Clinic) in the Kama District (VERY impressive 40 bed hospital built for $200,000 – WITH equipment), and a BHC (Basic Healthcare Clinic – no beds, almost “urgent care” like). Hard to describe in words both what we saw, heard, smelled – and the possibilities to truly make a difference. Could have done without riding in the UN ambulance (low profile unmarked Toyotas are really good), but all was safe and good and it did handle the crazy dirt roads to the BHC pretty effortlessly.

Then it was off to the market with Mahrab – total pro at negotiating the colorful busy streets packed with artisan crafts, shoes, food, men, women (most burqa clad), and children – you name it… pretty much there, as we shopped and made arrangements to have new shalwar kamiz’s made. It was so much fun… and almost exactly how I’d imagined it – only better and brighter.

We’re also starting to slowly, but surely (as much as you can in a few days at least), piece together the healthcare “puzzle” here. One of our key theories established prior to our trip was that it would be far better to link Jalalabad with Islamabad/Pindi in Pakistan than to Kabul (both are primarily Pashtun, whereas Kabul is predominantly Dari; many Afghans also seek care in Islamabad; and of course the relationships we established there over the past year as a result of our comms/telemed work there). Theory = PROVED – based on all our meetings and conversations over the past few days.

Over the next couple of days we’ll seek to make the introductions between our new Afghan friends and Dr. Zafar, Dr. Sadia and the rest of the team in Pakistan. Also hoping that we can help to orchestrate reciprocal trips between Jalalabad-Rawalpindi so that a) an operational highly successful telemedicine program can be witnessed by the teams of doctors here, and b) that leveraging the true expertise of Dr. Zafar and Dr. Sadia, a successful regional model can be established. I have a feeling that if all of these incredible people are able to meet, that magic will happen – especially if we can keep the bureaucrats out of it.

Up next… figuring out the best location for the telemed equipment… as of COB today, we are thinking the Fab Lab may be best location until we can arrange a return trip and do a little more training and support. There’s a whole lotta equipment (eagerly accepted) just sitting in boxes, in the basement, etc. of the hospitals here because the support and training infrastructure was not there before well-meaning (blank space - insert name) NGO, government agency, etc. left it. We don’t like repeating the mistakes of others (or our own for that matter)! We also just can’t pack it up now though… as we catalogued everything today on the pool table, we generated more than a little bit of excitement. Beginning to look like that in addition to a spontaneous school, that the Fab Lab may become the next clinic in JBad.

Tomorrow it’s back to the more “established” program, but really hoping not too established, because today was a really great day.