Let me introduce you to the wonderful world of Bebe. She is by far the strongest woman I have met in Mauritania. In her mid-20s, she is built like a horse with the willpower and stubborness of a wild animal that can never be tamed. This is not to suggest that she is wild and crazy, but rather forceful, funny, and oftentimes quite frustrating. She is the mother of two young boys. The oldest, Baobo (4), has quickly become one of my favorite children in town. Apparently, he is devilish and mean to everyone else, but for some reason he and I get along famously. He is such a fun-loving boy who deserves more than what life in Mauritania can provide. Yet, like all children here, his opportunities are limited by birth and circumstance. It is precisely at times like these that I worry about him and the rest of his family.
This is because Bebe is dying from malaria. After 7 days of substandard care, her condition has only deteriorated and she can no longer receive any more help from the local hospital. As a result, it is necessary to transport her to the national hospital, a 5-6 hour rough and bumpy ride along poorly-maintained roads. But, like everything else in Mauritania, ill patients, even those who are facing their own impending mortality, are required to pay all costs up-front before receiving any treatment. The hospital will not even provide syringues, antibiotics, IV fluids and bags, or food to its patients. Instead, a prescription is written and a family member must purchase all required supplies from a local pharmacy. The same is true for the ambulance transport to Nouakchott. Bebe cannot be guaranteed a ride in the ambulance until her family raises the 16,000 um ($570) required for the transport. With the help of friends and family, they are pulling their resources and are hopeful that they will be able to transport her by tomorrow. But, even if they do raise the money, it may be too late. How do you explain that to two young children, particularly when malaria is a preventable disease that can be cured if proper care is administered?
As a health volunteer, it seems almost impossible to bring about any significant change in a country where people die needlessly. It breaks my heart to know that I will be spending a good part of my 2 years here seeing people waste away in horrible pain while rich politicians turn the other cheek.
Janine
