Culture in Congo

This hospital is different in a lot of ways.  We have an 80 bed hospital, but unlike at home, it isn't made up of semi-private and private rooms, but 4 wards of about 20 beds each.  And there are family members sleeping on mattresses under the beds.  The wards are busy places.  There are kids running around, people are really everywhere.  The doctors do their rounds in the morning, and later the praise team comes around with the African drums.  It’s a wild time!

We sat with some nurses at dinner last night.  They were amazed at the lack of pain medication given here after surgery.  They give lots at home in the US, but here the patients generally get a couple of days of Tylenol.  Is pain just a more accepted part of life here?  I don’t know.

One nurse, Scott, told us about the mother who was admitted for surgery.  She had a family member with her who was taking care of her baby.  After she got back from the recovery room, she took her baby back and tucked him into bed beside her.  Now that doesn't happen at home!

On Thursday nights we have a crew meeting.  Last night’s speakers were a couple from the US who have been here for the last 20 years.  They tried to explain some of the cultural differences and how we look to the patients.  We had known about the modest dress, and that men and women should always have their knees covered.  We learned that telling patients what to do, especially to an older person, is seen as disrespectful.  And patients will let you think they will do something, when in reality, saying “no” is just rude.  So they may have no intention of showing up for that follow-up appointment.

Men and women never hold hands in public.  Sometimes when men greet each other, they touch their foreheads together three times.  (if they're good friends!)

I think we have a lot to learn!

Debbie