February 25

Today was our first OR day. We used four OR tables in two rooms and did 22 surgical cases.  Most were cleft lip or palate, but some were revisions of scars and a few general surgical cases.  As usual, we were well fed!  We had wonton soup and chicken sandwiches for lunch and rice with lentils, veggies and chicken for dinner and yummy homemade banana bread!

The Ors are reasonably well equipped compared to some others I have been in with piped in oxygen and suction and a local person who can help fix things and knows how to regulate the oxygen and suction.  CICM has a nursing school, so there are dozens of nursing students around to help with translation and patient care.

We have running water and electricity where we are staying, and they have a little shop where we could buy some souvenirs for home!

Time for bed to prepare for tomorrow.