Evangel Hospital
The maternity building is right behind the pediatric ward. Since today is Wednesday,
immunization day, the place is buzzing with activity. Before getting started on immunizations, a nurse is giving a talk
on how to care for babies. Then she leads the women in a rousing Hausa song about family
planning. The vaccines that are usually available are BCG (against tuberculosis), oral
polio, measles, and DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis). We also immunize pregnant
women against tetanus, to prevent the needless tragedy of newborn tetanus that is still
all-too-common here.
Several women are waiting in the hall for an ultrasound examination. The ultrasound machine, not available at every Nigerian hospital, is very useful for determining fetal age, proper growth, position, and so on.
As one would expect, the labor and delivery rooms are quite basic. No fancy monitors
here, though we are blessed with a portable Doppler ultrasound for checking the fetal
heartbeat, a suction machine, forceps and a vacuum extraction set. A renovated
operating room on the ward means women no longer have to be wheeled outside down the walkway over to the main
operating rooms for c-sections.