Child Health Clinic....."USH"

Morning Readers…..

What an Interesting day I experienced today……Started work at 8am…..and I was in the “Child Health Clinic” known also as the Infant Welfare Clinic.

I was greeted by a Sis Farr…(did I mention that all the senior nurses were to be addressed as sis and their second name…..and nurse’s were to be addressed by nurse and their second name???) Well I apologise if I did not inform you….but it is so.

I will continue…..Sis Farr was my Mentor and her qualifications are ….Midwife, Nurse and Public health Nurse(Health visitor)..MMmmmm, why so many qualifications…you wonder???Well…in Jamiaca……All midwives have to be nurses first, and the midwives roll is to look after the newborn baby from 0-17 years…. ‘cough…cough’…that’s right I said it….and there are no health visitors….just Midwifes….they are every where……Lol and they are multi talented…he…he….

So…where was I….Oh yes, Ms Farr….she introduced me to the rest of the team in the clinic which comprised of, 2 public health Nurses (who were of coarse midwives), A midwife, a community health aid (Health care assistant) and a patient care assistant.

In the clinic from day to day they cover immunizations (for children and adults??),  general health and welfare of children and postnatal mothers and sexual health…..(cough…cough..) yes you heard right.

I notice the Jamaican culture is a very joyful and happy one were you get enough jokes through the day…even at the sad times. FACT!!!!A woman shared with me that she had a still born child at term due to gestational diabetes…..her Doctor advised her that there was no time to grieve…there were eggs waiting to be fertilized…and she must try again… “now..now..now..” she explained that she conceived immediately and received intensive follow up care and gave birth to a beautiful boy….and not one mention of the grieving for her lost child…...culture is a major part of how we react…Mmmmm

In the morning we immunized 5 children….it was fascinating to watch the interaction between the Nurse and the patients……at times there was laughter and at other times there was seriousness…..the nurse referred to each mother as “Mommy”….and each boy child as “Boss” and each Baby as “Dumplin”…….But when an injection was being administered, the nurse was very stern with the child by saying “ Do not move and do not contaminate my area”…..not even I moved!!! and each mother sympathised with their child by squeezing them tight and responding "Me afi bare de pain too" meaning...I'm feeling the pain with you....The other noticeable action …was the amount of respect the women had for the Nurses….attentive listening and gracious answering…”yes mam” to every piece of advice that was given…..Another word that was referred to often from both mother and Nurse was…..(USH….)….the word was used so much that even I was using it….It came after any type of pain or mishap deliberate or not……example….baby has injection administered… “ush!!”….baby cries… “ush”….i  get bitten by a mosquito… “ush”…..you be surprised how many times the word is used lol.

Fact!!!Most woman do not shave their legs……MMMMmmmm weird for me but normal for them….cultural!!!!Difference….It would save me a whole lot of bother....but could I refrain????

So.....back to the day, every child from the age of 0 to 17 is issued with a Child Health Passport (equivalent to our red book) it is referred to as a "docket", and each child has a right to be immunised under the 'child care and protection Act"...in other words...(every child has to be immunised!!!)If the mother refuses to take the responsibility to get the child immunised...then she will receive a fine from the Ministry of health....women take immunisation very seriously....

Fact!!!Record keeping is all paper work...the only information that is kept on computer is where a person is registered....for example...which health centre they attend (that's it!!) Every thing else is paper work...reports ect......imagine not having to put birth notifications through computer...MMmmmmm

So the immunisation schedule child for each baby is....birth - 6weeks...BCG, OPV/IPV(Polio), Hep B and Hib......at 3 months ...OPV(Polio),and DPT(Diphtheria,Pertussis,Tetanus), Hep B and Hib......6 months...OPV(Polio), DPT, Hep B and Hib.....12 months...MMR.....18 months OPV and DPT and DT(p)boosters......4-6 years...OPV,MMR and DPT and DT(p) booster........IN ORDER FOR A CHILD TO ENTER PRIMARY SCHOOL.....ALL THE ABOVE VACCINES ARE NECESSARY!!!!

Fact!!!There is a particular vaccine called the PENTAVALENT (Easy Five)....which is one vaccine that immunises against 5 diseases......Diphtheria,Tetanus (Lock-jaw), Pertussis(Whooping Cough), Hepatitis B,Hib (Haemophilis influenza (Type B)).........Wow!!!

The mothers are also given advise on the child's diet and all are advised of the importance of porridge and eating it right the way through to adulthood!!!!!Believe me when I advise the porridge is lush!!! Furthermore the mothers are advised to be careful of letting the baby use the bottle whilst asleep or just to suck for comfort....Fact!!!The sugar in take is high in Jamaica...and baby's have sugary drinks in a bottle.....some children develop baby bottle syndrome(where the baby's teeth start to decay from leaving the baby sucking the bottle for long periods of time whilst asleep or for comfort)..... all mothers are also asked "does the child eat from the family pot??" meaning does the child eat home cooked food.....this will determine whether the child's diet is good...MMmmmm

Anyway......tomorrow is dominicary/Puerperal Service (community/home visits)....lol

Blog later xxxxx