The hospital portion of the medical center contains two large open wards, a male ward and
a female/pediatric ward. Each contains about 15-20 beds, of which anywhere from a
quarter to three-quarters are full at any given time. There are no curtains separating the
beds, so privacy is a minimum, as is room for visiting families. Family members can be in
the wards during the day, but only one is allowed to stay overnight (either in an empty bed
or on a blanket on the floor).
The wards aren't air conditioned, so get quite warm during the day. Patients (and their
families) are expected to provide their own food, clothing, and additional blankets
throughout their stay. There aren't any TVs or other sources of entertainment besides fellow
patients. Privacy, due to the nature of the open wards, is minimal; occasionally curtain
dividers will be put up to protect a particularly vulnerable patients, and there are a few
actual singe-patient rooms (as well as a 2-bed isolation ward). Bathrooms are also
communal. For the most part, patients spend their days in bed or, if they're well enough,
taking short walks around the medical center. Several nurses at a time take care of the
patients, distributing medications, carrying out doctors' orders from rounds, and setting up
newly-admitted patients.
The medical center also has a small ICU, used mostly for patients who need machine-
monitoring (the regular in-patient wards are notably machine-free) or who come in with acute
conditions in the middle of the night.
Although the medical center has a X-Ray machine and a basic lab, any patients who need
more advanced imaging or lab testing need to go to Coimbatore, the large city in the region
about an hour away that has more complex medical facilities. However, because Bethany
has limited internet and computer access, meaning that everything has to be hand-
delivered.
Besides all the usual excitement today, Arun, the Bethany manager/logistics master
extraordinaire, invited us over to his house for tea. He, his wife, and two adorable kids live
in an apartment in the medical center that overlooks the hills behind the clinic. Apparently,
the elephant that made an appearance at he center just a week before we arrived walked
right through their backyard! We spent a lovely couple of hours playing with the kids, talking
with Arun and his view, and learning how to make authentic Indian chai tea. (The secret is
extra cardamom!) The hospitality and welcome we've received from everyone in India,
particularly at Bethany, is overwhelming. I wasn't expecting to feel as much a part of the
family as I feel now, after less than 2 short weeks. We've received and learned much more
from this experience than we can ever hope to repay.
-Emily
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