Johannesburg... 2nd leg the harder leg! Bara Trauma Unit!!!!

27th Feb 2011:
Finally left CT and got the flight to J'Burg. Interestingly I noted we were flying low less than 40,000 ft from my aeromedical days and knowledge, I asked the air steward and we are actually 37,000 ft due to the heavy cargo. This meant you had perfect visibility of the geography and tomography, the land was flatter and a richer green compared to CT. No mountains or beach here, the altitude is higher too.

So finally arrived in JHB and the gorgeous Evan picked me up who’s looking after me! J JHB is a huge city with a successful powerful financial district. Its feels like a city here, faster, edger and the people…. I am nearer the real Africa which it certainly feels and reflects in my observations. Very different to the affluent beauty of CT.

Today after getting another hirer car this time with AC! I made my way across JHB to Wits University navigating the roads around deviating road blocks due to MVA’s. I at last got to met Professor Efraim Kramer Head of Division of Emergency Medicine, Medical lead FIFA and Lead SA Search and Rescue SAISR, very respected talented gentleman so kind, knowledgeable and welcoming to me in coming to S Africa. After tagging along to his meeting we chatted about my trip and objectives, accommodating my needs and desires. The university was very impressive and one of the worlds best, students come from all around the world to study here.
Then after making some calls for me and important correspondence he took me to Chris Hani Bara trauma unit….. you kind of had to believe it to see it but here’s some facts….

Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, with its 2'964 beds, is the largest acute hospital in the world. It is situated to the south west of Johannesburg, on the southern border of Soweto. The Hospital grounds cover an area of 173 acres, consisting of 429 buildings with a total floor area of 233'785.19m2.

It is the only public hospital serving approximately 3.5 million people in Soweto and it provides half of all the hospital services in Southern Gauteng. Being a specialist hospital, referrals for specialist treatment are received from all over the country, as well as surrounding African States.

Bara is one of 40 provincial hospitals in the Gauteng Province, which is financed and run by the Gauteng provincial health authorities.

The hospital has a staff establishment of nearly 5'000, of which 600 are doctors and 2'000 are nurses. The greater part of the teaching and clinical research for the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of the Witwatersrand takes place at this hospital.

Bara is also a training school for nurses with a training college, affiliated with Wits University, on the premises.

2,000 patients check in a day and over half are HIV +ve            

Getting a better idea of it…. Not intimidating at all!!

On the way we talked and I had the very important safety talk- diseases, AIDS and crime. 90% patients are HIV or full blown AIDS- universal precautions and AVD at the ready.

I got to meet the Trauma Lead Prof and the Lead manager Dr. Anderson who runs the unit. Resus room…. 10 beds but space to double up to 20! GSH had 6 which could double up to about 9.

It was decided between the profs I would work as medical student that way I can do more, anything as Prof K suggested ICDs, thorocostomies! Just need to get involved and ask to do it. If I work with the doctors I will be more proactive, this is great as I can get a overall view of the trauma unit running, clinical skills and be part of and observe the trauma team process. So just need to get some Bara scrubs and start at 6.45 tomorrow – early start 545 from home! 7pm start of the shift, trauma handover, ward handover and who knows! This really is Africa….

Rest of the week clinical work, DREAM registrar teaching Thursday and ATLS SA style Friday!

 The hard work REALLY begins now…… jeez…trepidation …I have been privileged to be welcomed by SA top clinical leaders … until tomorrow….. here goes!