Ethiopia: Black Lion Hospital

Yesterday, as we were waiting to leave Addis, we went to the local hospital to take a look at the conditions there.  It was shocking and nothing like you could imagine in the US.  One of the local physicians that had been working with us all week gave us a tour of the ER and the pediatric ward.  The rooms were dirty, smelly and crowded.  The NICU had 5 babies per "bed" (platform with a warmer).  The pediatric rooms had kids with TB mixed in with infants.  We met one amazing kid that had a trach and had been living on the ward since he was 3 because he needs frequent suctioning.  He is now 7 years old.  The ER consisted of planks and benches pushed together.  MRI comes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday only.  There were flies all over and open windows.  But there were doctors with huge hearts and love for their work.  I only was able to take a few pictures in less sensitive areas [to be posted soon].