1st full day at the hospital

 Malaria season is full on here in Mali.  This is a look at my sleeping quarters with good mosquito netting over the bed (don't worry Allison).

 The line at the maternity building at the hospital.  The hospital delivers an average of 140 babies per month.

 Collecting our first heel stick samples for the sickle cell screening project.  Working with one of the Malian nurses to teach the process.

 The screening cards donated by ID Biological in Greenville are working great!

 Screening twins in the incubator.

 The waiting room in the pediatric building.

 Moto parking in the shade.

 Front of the pediatric building.

 They love the red car in Mali as well!

 A few of the oncology patients having fun with stickers.  They have both been at the hospital for months.

 Kadia in the front had her spinal tap today and carried her yellow duck pin into the procedure with her (she's carrying it in this pic).

 Everyone gets a turn in the car.

 This is a child being treated for malnutrition, which is a very common reason for admission to the hospital.  Mali is the 4th poorest country in the world.

 Kadia recovering after we did her spinal tap today (notice her duck pin right by her side).

 A newborn with an NG tube due to feeding issues.

 We did a bone marrow on a 23 year old woman with low counts today.... special thanks for the nurses and doctors from my office for collecting all of the bone marrow needles to send over.

 Setting up all of the equipment for the sickle cell screening.  This turned out to be a bigger project than I expected...

 ....but the site was looking a lot better by the end of the day.  We drew blood from 10-12 babies today and hope to have 40-50 samples by Wed so that we can run the first batch.  We are screening the children of the Malian hospital staff as well.

 This is the hospital "cafeteria" which is located directly across the street from the entrance.

 The road leading down to the hospital.

 Children playing by the road on our walk back from the hospital today.  They are always happy to see their photo.

After a full day at the hospital, I was happy to go to the mission pool with Brett and his kids.  This is a blessing for the mission families during the hot season when temps are well above 100 degrees every day.