Brij Lal Hospital and Research Centre -Haldwani, Uttarakhand, Imdia

 

BTW- did you know that the eBook copy of Lonley Planet, does not contain useful phrases in the selected foreign language as has existed forever in the printed copy. Instead, when most needed in the hinterland one is referred to buying an app. Unconscionable as far as I'm concerned.   Thank goodness we had our magnificent hosts to help us .  There is no preface indication that the e book does not have this list.  I will be broaching my concerns with the Lonley Planet people on their non existent complaints or contact email...if anyone can supply...

Heading into day three, things are still heading towards a positive result. Things not improving as quickly as we hoped, and Nathalie is still in quite a bit of pain, feverish, and the necrotised area looks a bit nasty.    The infection is still there, and the IV ab are still a necessity.

Whilst I did not lie about the view of the Himalayas, from the hospital  window, it would be very overstated to suggest they are in any way spectacular from this town, they probably just are as magnificent as the Dandenongs, from Ringwood.  Travelling the other day to Nantali, the potential of the scenery was very apparent.

Once again, as hospitals go in this part of the world, and for that matter in many places we have been, this place is good. Certainly the western concept of patient care, is not valid, the expectation is that the family ( ie ABC and Suyra's family) do the feeding, washing of, fetching toileting etc.  The place is very clean, the floors mopped at least four times a day.

Every item used in the treatment of the patient, right down to the non sterile gloves, syringes and swabs are itemised and paid for in cash and collected by the patient or rep, before the treatment.  

The way it works is the doctor visits and says what needs doing.  The staff nurse writes it on a letterhead slip of paper, which is unceremoniously given to the patient and told to go to pharmacy to get.  Off we toddle to the pharmacy in the main foyer, give the slip to the "Pharmacist" who fills the order, put it into a shopping bag, and demands the cash.  Some of the orders, confsidring the antibiotics NJC is on, runs to about $100 a.u, which is about 5000 r .  We hope the ATM holds out.

Then scheduled drugs and all are given to yours truely, to hopefully take back to the patient to be put in the secure DD cabinet, which is the unlocked bedside drawer. 

The nurses so far are very caring, they can afford to take the time and are very gentle.   Some seem a bit overwhelmed, by being cross examined by our various visitors, some of whom have extensive scientific backgrounds, the consultants, registrars, treating doctors, Gmo, nurse in charge, Nathalie, and the most formidable is Surya's mum,Kiskinda   (sp).  

For every procedure there are no fewer than four people in the room, but 

And two you can't see- note the washing....pretty normal.

We are still concerned as to getting home, but the insurer has received a letter from the doctor here, so we will see what happens. Travel within India, in a conventional sense, is not possible as Nathalie can't walk and the foot has to be elevated, not withstanding the IV ab. 

We will see.