The Malaria Test

No, neither of us has malaria. We're fine, really.

This afternoon Bry'Chell threw up. It would not be a big deal except that Bry'Chell NEVER vomits. She's had cramps the last couple of days--probably the worst ones I can remember her ever having. I took her temperature last night just to make sure it was normal. It was. I gave her an advil and sent her to bed early.

This morning she was feeling marginally better, but still pretty lousy. I wasn't especially worried. She skipped breakfast but ate lunch. We went for a little walk thinking that some exercise might help.

A little while after we returned from the walk, Bry'Chell tossed her cookies. That was enough to call for a trip to the campus infirmary. The nurse checked her out, said she thought it was related to her cramps, but just in case we should get a malaria test for Bry'Chell at the hospital. The hospital is right next to campus, so it's no great distance.

We went to the private side of the hospital--where they charge. I could have used Bry'Chell's insurance, but it would probably cost more to call the company to file the claim than the visit and test cost. The nurse took her temperature (Bry'Chell's first experience with an old fashioned thermometer) and weighed her (she's gained about five pounds, if the scale is to be trusted). The doctor came in. Here doctors are required to have a bachelor's degree--this guy looked just barely old enough to have his. He confirmed that a malaria test was in order.

The nurse came back, told Bry'Chell not to look while she pricked her finger--Bry'Chell looked anyway. The nurse wiped some of Bry'Chell's blood on a microscope slide and gave Bry'Chell a piece of cotton to mop up the rest of the blood. She then walked the slide across the compound so someone could look at it under a microscope to see if there were any pathogens in her blood.

The nurse came back about fifteen minutes later with another doctor (as young as the first one) who told us the test was negative.

The cost for a doctor's visit and the malaria test came to a wopping 9,600 shillings--at the current exchange rate, about $4.30. Can you imagine a doctor's visit and medical test for less than five dollars at home?

Still, the cost is out of the reach of most Ugandans.

Oh yeah, while the nurse stepped out I weighed myself, the first since I've been in Uganda. Again, if the scale is to be trusted, I've lost about fifteen pounds. I sure don't feel like it. My clothes fit the same as ever.