Last Mile Health Organization using today's technology to provide healthcare

Coming up with healthcare solutions in Liberia one has to have an understanding of who is going to implement healthcare throughout the country. Liberia has a tremendous shortage of doctors. Liberian doctors because of the war relocated outside of Liberia. Many of the skilled health workers relocated in United States or Europe. There has always been those educated seeking to relocate outside of Liberia. I believe that impulse is still strong today. Even today there is travel advisories concerning travel to Liberia that limits travel because of safety.

Dr. Raj Panjabi

The Ministry of health in Liberia has teamed up with the Last Mile Health Organization run by Dr. Raj Panjabi of Boston, to train community health workers located in rural areas of Liberia to treat life-threatening diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, caring for expecting mothers. The community health workers will have ongoing training to reach higher professional standards. They will have their cell phones to connect to supervising nurses to help care for the patients who are more isolated in the villages and locations in the rain forest of Liberia. I became familiar with Dr. Raj Panjabi in a NYT article linked bellow. I also have linked below his web site. Check it out.

Barb crossing stream 77

In my brief time in the bush in Grand Bassa we ran a clinic with two RNs from United States. Elaine went to a  special six weeks course in Toronto in tropical nursing. Barb worked in emergency rooms and intensive care before coming to Liberia. Both of them attended a week seminar at the ELWA  hospital in identifying and treating common tropical diseases from the viewpoint of a doctor in primitive conditions without a lab or screenings. What does the train eye tell you? 

The medical care that the girls were able to give was real good. They had to train their interpreters for better communication in medical things. 

I can tell you that back in 1977 we were trying to figure out an ongoing training program for Liberians to have the skills described for community health workers in today's last mile health organization guidelines. Civil War prevented my return to begin working on training Liberians to expand the effectiveness of a medical clinic and create other centers in the bush. 

The technology of the cell phone brings real possibilities of support for people trained to help care for those who are out of reach of a clinic. Back in 1977 we were the only clinic in an area about the size of an Illinois County. As cell towers

CHW with back pack of medicine and training
Check out lastmilehealth.org

increase in Liberia, imagine not just voice but video calls that will help the supervising nurse to not only hear the description of the patient, but be able to see as well. This part of this service is not  there yet; I would definitely encourage the deployment for video calls as soon as it becomes available. Cell phones used in support is huge. I learned from the last mile health site 

Can you see the endless possibilities with online and medical support. There has to be a bridge between professional language and training people who are smart but I have a limited education. Under score that just because people have lacked educational opportunities does not mean that they are stupid. When I lived with the Liberians they taught me many things. The country or bush people were creative and sharp as they lived in the jungle. They were unfamiliar with modern life but they had an eagerness to learn. When you look at Dr. Raj Panjabi website I think you will pick that up with them in the many photos he has there. 

All of this is big-time motivation for me to lose weight to be able to go back to the tropics again and do my bit for the Lord and to serve the Liberian people to train and educate Liberians to sustain their education and medical needs. Keep walking

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/31/health/raj-panjabi-last-mile-health-liberia.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fafrica&_r=0

http://lastmilehealth.org

What ever we do there has to be someone to do it.

There have been a couple of you who have sent gifts to encourage those I am ministering to in Liberia. Thank you. 

One of the new wings of ELWA Hospital

I am at present trying to work on my physical conditioning you improve my aerobics so that I can visit Liberia. I am also purchasing a bicycle scooter to help me with my mobility dealing with the heat. The bike can be taken apart and be able to move in villages and some trails. Because the bike as a single speed peddle there will be many times I can get some exercise. I guarantee you the little scooter will attract people for me to talk with. 

I am praying to raise support to travel to Liberia and visit there for about six months. I will have to find lodging in Buchanan where I'm likely to stay. I need to see for myself how the Internet works in Liberia. Using the cell phone or tablet how can I communicate back here in United States.

Is it possible to set up an Internet clinic or school? What are the real problems away from the big city concerning the Internet? From what I'm able to understand the Internet infrastructure may be limited to Monrovia, Buchanan and Harper? 

Would ELWA be willing to partner in this project? Would the hospitals and medical professionals in Liberia be willing to explore Internet clinics?

While I personally want to visit friends in Liberia and there are a few people that I want to find. I can only do this if I go to Liberia again myself. Also I need to go there to talk to people about Internet classrooms and clinics. 

Am I up for this trip? Liberia is a hard country travel to. It's doable but not without sacrifice. It is a country that you would never go to unless you have purpose. There are many more struggles today that we didn't have 40 years ago. So I'm praying about it.

The structures were all temporary

The large emergency ebola hospital that cost over 76 million dollars is now empty returning back to the jungle. More encouraging is the work that the Good Samaritan headed by Franklin Graham rebuilt ELWA hospital which has served Liberia for over 60 years. In the Civil War in the 80s and 90s the hospital was destroyed. Since then it has been rebuilt and played a large part in fighting ebola. The expansion and modernization we'll make the hospital the best in Liberia. 

Barbara and Elaine RNs who set up a clinic in Grand Bassa were in part trained at ELWA in identifying tropical diseases without a laboratory. Barb is my wife and Elaine Lazney were the real deal we went to relieve the Orta’s in 1977. I was just a beautiful blond guy who tag along. They were the only medical help for an area the size Will County, Il.

To be real, there is a lot of work I need to do now. Just what I needed in retirement. Keep walking

Moses home making a little progress

Progress on Moses Tarr' home, He was able to put a metal roof on his house. Considering the amount of rain is 118 inches a year and being on the coast Buchanan has rain during the dry season that you would not experience inland.
Moses has informed me further improvement have been made.

Rain also wreaks havac on the roads. Moses is traveling into the bush where I used to live to work on the mission. Imagine trying to travel on these roads.

I can remember traveling when the roads were like this. A 40 mile trip may take hours to complete. By the time you got your designation you would need to change your clothes and get a shower. Back in the 70's, when I was there, people would asked me, if I was from the Peace Corps. That wasn't a compliment because the peace core workers we're often unkempt and dirty. The kids were often dropped off in locations with very little support. They had to make due.
There was a book then I read, Red Dust on Green Leaves which describes what the iron ore roads did to the green vegetation.

The passing of one of my former students, Augustus Potter.

I found out today one of my former students passed away. His name is Augustus Potter age 50 years old. He died from complications of diabetes. As a young student he was smart had a lively personality. He was part of a family with the father had 16 wives. The head wife was a Christian and insisted that all the wives children get an education including the girls. One of her sons became a doctor and another was a teacher. This was back in 1977. I was impressed that a country woman had such ambitions. Augustus was one of my older students and I thought he too would be successful. He remained a friendly guy and will be missed.

Diabetes is one of the three most deadly diseases we face. Liberia nutrition is based starches  on rice and cassava. Greens and herbs and spices are in the diet but little protein. Having war for over 20 years takes it toll on health. I am not sure if he had type 1 or 2 diabetes. Care in his life would have to had many difficulties. 

Can I get healthy and fit enough to visit Liberia? I would like to see how the internet could help with health and education improvements. Could people with skill be linked with people in need. It is on my bucket list. Keep walking

I can see the difference it makes

Moses is making progress on his home

Most people in world are poor. Also the majority of Christians are poor. We live the fallen world and as a result we will always have poor people. This is such a big problem no government or person can remove poverty from the planet. Today there is a common outcry about our founding fathers either compromising or benefiting from slavery. But did you know that slavery is a big problem today. Slavery was always wrong. In the first century church 60% of the population were slaves. A large number in the church were slaves. We can learn from history but we need to be aware of real problems today. There are millions of slaves today.

One of the consistent sarcasm's against the church today is that the church is filled with so many dysfunctional, uneducated, lower class people. The church is often a haven for the mentally ill. If we look pass some of these modern labels the common thread is that the church is made up of a lot of poor people. People in poverty and they are always easy targets.

I have many happy memories of sitting in poor villages talking to very poor people. Many of these people only had the

He is building his home
during the raining season

clothes on their back. We shared stories back-and-forth. A poor village wouldn't give me the honor of a bottle of coca-Cola. The cost of that drink would be a day’s wage. I learned so much about the Liberian culture. 

Things are improving in Liberia. Most people in Liberia make $150 in a month or less. The best way to live in Liberia would be to have a job and the ability to continue some level of traditional farming. The poorest people in Liberia are unable to continue some level of traditional life, packed into the city's ghettos there are a lot of desperate people. 

There is no amount of human resource they can meet the need around the world, or even in the United States. We will always have a problem of human poverty. 

This is my opinion that this should humble us. If we look at it closer it can even overwhelm us. Our level of ability to inflict pain and oppression on one another goes above my comprehension. 

Bible conferences are reaching many w the Good News

As a Christian I can't ignore the poor. Helping the orphan and the poor is basic to a biblical religion. All humans suffer from spiritual poverty which is why I share the gospel. There are strong appeals from God to care for the poor in the Old and New Testament. Our response should be personal and addressing some need that we are aware of. It is not first a call out to others, first personal response. 

That response certainly made involve cooperation with other people doing a specific situation. In my case, it is being aware of people in my life who are in poverty. I am blessed to help those I know in Liberia. I certainly have my limitations, but it's good to know I can make a difference. Seeing these few take advantage to improve their education, to improve their shelter and home. To improve their care and education of their loved ones. To see them share the gospel and encourage others in their church. What ever I can encourage for the people of Liberia in regard to online education or clinics I know there's a few poor people who God connected me with to bless them. 

Great article from WSJ. Education in South Africa struggling like our own urban schools. Can online support help Sibonelo?

The Wall Street Journal published the story today on report of South Africa schools. Apparently teachers are not accountable and many students are on school grounds missing classes and participating in gambling and drugs. In the classes there are too many unmotivated students. Schools such as Orlando West High School that was a beacon of light for students has now deteriorated. 

According to the article more money is spent on education, 20% of the South African budget which is a higher percentage than either Switzerland or Japan. In fairness I think it's safe to say that Switzerland and Japan make more money and have a more stable economy. More money is spent on education then healthcare or military in South Africa. 

Many classes are canceled because the teachers to stay home. Drugs like marijuana and

Sibonelo 18 wants to study botany

home made opiates are widely used. Motivation is certainly being affected. 

Sounds just like in the US  there are not enough jobs in the marketplace to give people an opportunity for success. Educators and economists spin the same dogma that the only way to advance is through education. The jobs that education require are very competitive. Many people are not made to succeed in education. There's nothing wrong with them, but they need other kind of work. 

People who make their living through capitalism have not developed opportunities for people who are not text savvy or book smart. Government has not developed anything to expand opportunity to those whose skill sets not include books. In the urban culture particularly there is a sense of hopelessness and non-inclusion. Our political parties have failed and so has Wall Street. We have seen the same failure in communist countries as well as socialism. 

I think partnership of capitalism and government pulls together resourceful people but they have to be challenged to new ideas, good old ideas to increase opportunities for others. 

In the article I was thinking about the students who were trying to get an education that could compete in the South African universities and workforce. They are smart enough to know that they are not getting what they need. The article talked about tutoring which is a great support. 

There was no mention of students getting support through our online education. I believe that this is a real possibility for the Third World. South Africa is one of the most educated countries in Africa. Educators, government resources need to become more aware of online support. 

motivation & judgement impaired

Sibonelo an 18-year-old featured In the article wants to be the first black botanist in South Africa. He is afraid he is not given the tools to compete. There are courses online that specifically study Botany. In his school there is a lot of time lost because of lack of teacher management in allowing many inappropriate behaviors to dominate the classroom. Sounds like classrooms from Chicago or Philadelphia. Rather than lose the potential of a student like Sibonelo wouldn't online education give him the support he needs. 

Not only do I think online medicine and education can help Liberia, but I think the machines could help the US and South Africa.

Whether or not you agree with my analysis read this informative article.Share with others and help me get the word out.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/south-africas-schools-like-the-nation-are-falling-short-1470148770

iTunes U offers opportunities to learn on line. Can it help Liberians?

I am back from a two-week vacation in Florida with my son’s family. And the second week I swam every day In the Gulf. On the Gulf there is a breeze and in water though warm I stayed cool. There was a heatwave in Florida where are the temperatures reached 100° and my medication reacted to it. In two weeks my body became a little more custom to it. The experience boosted my doctor's advice to build up my conditioning and lose weight. It is clear to me right now I am not ready for Liberia. 

Can I improve my own overall health? That will be the key. 

In the meantime today I was exploring iTunes learning opportunities for both college and high school. Online education is a real option for those who are in areas where's school was not developed. Liberians love their phones and as cell towers are built Smart phones and tablets can be used for Liberians to tap in to improve their education. 

The Liberian government should look into online education to develop for the interior. The Liberians have the language, culture to bridge education through the 15 languages andEnglish overall. 

Some of the resources are free others have a price with I Tunes U. These resources can certainly supplement material for teacher to bring to their students. I am for example in my retirement doing studies with Dallas theological seminary. Some of the courses I may purchase for credit to complete the Study. For example I am studying New Testament Greek but to get all the lectures I will have to pay for it. At my age I'm not necessarily sure I want a Masters, but who knows. The material offered is worth the study.

Why am I doing this stuff? I think
this child is worth the best.

Is it possible to get a K-12 education that can fit into a third world workers budget? Many people in Liberia who need education only make about $100 hundred hours $150 a month. These working people are worth the same as you and I in an economy where we make more. They need an opportunity but that that means more was have to volunteer our time and effort. 

So my Liberian friends check out iTunes U. Can it help you? Can you access it? Those of you who are in education in Liberia how can online support improve education in Liberia? 

This stuff spurs me on to get to Liberia to test this out.