Having been in Malawi for seven days, I can say that I'm starting to get into the swing of things. It's been a week of exploration, computer troubles, frustrations and moments of pure joy. This year in Lilongwe will in no way be easy, but I can already see that it will be a great learning experience.
During my time here, I am staying the guesthouse of UNC Project-Malawi. The guesthouse is right next to Kamuzu Central Hospital, where most of the central operations of UNCPM are located. I'm lucky to be living with a few other students, interns and doctors who are also here in Malawi for the year. The housekeeper at the guesthouse, Joyce, is a wonderful woman who always has a smile on her face. The guesthouse even has its own dog, Mfumu, who doesn't love me quite yet, but I know he will eventually...
My main project is a new study entitled iKnow, which is aiming to study the social clustering of patients with HIV in Lilongwe. The current standard of care for patients recently diagnosed with HIV is to give them cards to give to their sexual partners so that they can be tested. This study is looking at more effective ways of getting people to come in for testing. I've been meeting with the study staff, including nurses, doctors, counselors and data analysts, who have all been very welcoming. I'll mostly be working at the STI clinic here at Kamuzu Central Hospital and at another STI clinic at Bwaila District Hospital on the other side of Lilongwe.
Outside of work, I've been trying to explore my new city as much as possible. The first few days here were a bit frustrating for me, as I'm used to being able to visualize where things are located and how to get there. I'm slowly learning my way around the city, though, and could successfully navigate to a select few locations. Each region of the city has a specific "area" name. I'm slowly starting to memorize them. So far, I know that I live in Area 33... Below is a map of the city (which could be considered a large town in the United States). I'm glad that KCH is so centrally located!
During my time here, I am staying the guesthouse of UNC Project-Malawi. The guesthouse is right next to Kamuzu Central Hospital, where most of the central operations of UNCPM are located. I'm lucky to be living with a few other students, interns and doctors who are also here in Malawi for the year. The housekeeper at the guesthouse, Joyce, is a wonderful woman who always has a smile on her face. The guesthouse even has its own dog, Mfumu, who doesn't love me quite yet, but I know he will eventually...
My main project is a new study entitled iKnow, which is aiming to study the social clustering of patients with HIV in Lilongwe. The current standard of care for patients recently diagnosed with HIV is to give them cards to give to their sexual partners so that they can be tested. This study is looking at more effective ways of getting people to come in for testing. I've been meeting with the study staff, including nurses, doctors, counselors and data analysts, who have all been very welcoming. I'll mostly be working at the STI clinic here at Kamuzu Central Hospital and at another STI clinic at Bwaila District Hospital on the other side of Lilongwe.
Outside of work, I've been trying to explore my new city as much as possible. The first few days here were a bit frustrating for me, as I'm used to being able to visualize where things are located and how to get there. I'm slowly learning my way around the city, though, and could successfully navigate to a select few locations. Each region of the city has a specific "area" name. I'm slowly starting to memorize them. So far, I know that I live in Area 33... Below is a map of the city (which could be considered a large town in the United States). I'm glad that KCH is so centrally located!
It's been a week of adapting to life here and learning many new things. I can now drive on the left side of the road without being terrified and I've learned how to use my phone for cell service here in Malawi. I can say a few words of Chichewa, the local language, and I'm trying out some traditional Malawian foods. When I first decided to come to Lilongwe for the year, I was excited to keep learning but not from a textbook or in a classroom. After just a week here, I can tell that I will definitely get to do all of that learning - not only about healthcare here, but also about a different way of life.