Ready for Home

It’s hard to believe that today is my last full day in Bansang, 3 weeks have simply flown by, helped of course by the fairly punishing schedule set by “the boss” before we left the UK, to say nothing of the countless emails received from her since. But to be truthful I’ve enjoyed every minute of it (well almost!). The other thing that has made the time fly has been the fantastic people I’ve had the pleasure to work with; Chris & Jeanette, Bella, Tanya and more recently Nick have all made huge contributions to the overall efforts being made to help that staff and patients at Bansang Hospital, and without exception they have all been wonderful to work with.

Today is “mopping up” day, time to finish a few bits and pieces, take photos of work done for sponsors, tidy the house up somewhat so we don’t leave Tanya with too much of our mess to sort out and finally to start the process of packing what we have to bring back, whilst discarding what we don’t. Oh! and we have the awards ceremony this afternoon with countless certificates and prizes to be handed out to all and sundry….. I think overall our time has been well spent and our achievements though small, reasonably satisfactory.

The Theatre suite is about ready to open with just a few bits in ancillary rooms to complete. As I mentioned the other day, the main equipment is all installed and operational. The Autoclave has also now been installed which completes all of the electrical work in there, and the commemorative plaque fixed to the wall. Meanwhile down at the Audiology department, the doors have been fitted, tiling redone, at least one airconditioner fitted (hopefully two!) and most of the debris cleared. A quick sweep out and it to is ready to be photographed.  

Nick, working with the two hospital plumbers has fitted nice new high quality push taps to all the sinks. They have also fitted new push button showers in some of the wards although Nick, being the perfectionist that he is, wants to get some alterations made once he gets some new bits and bobs to me to bring out on the next trip! He also took the metaphorical bull by the horns yesterday and together with his two men undertook a massive clear up outside the maintenance unit… unsurprisingly Dembo beat a hasty retreat under the guise of having a meeting to attend… On a Saturday ? Hmm!

Chris (shelfman) Payne has put up shelves in every available space, nook and cranny, concentrating mainly on the Staff accommodation but also working in the new theatres, Sulayman’s office and also the Library. Meanwhile, Jeanette has been scurrying around as a one woman make-over show, putting up curtains and screens in the labour ward and generally sorting out the place, ably assisted by Dr Tanya.

By tomorrow night we will be back at Luigi’s in Banjul enjoying a cocktail or two (or more) and all this will seem like a distant dream…. Back to Anita’s  for a debrief and get ready to do it all again in a couple of weeks time ( if required) to try to keep the builder on track whilst the work on the Children’s ward is undertaken. That will keep me here until around the end of April!! I might even get a chance to do a bit more work on my second book…..