News from a student - Keith Mwitiwa
This is a letter written to Robyn Lyall, Keith’s sponsor in Australia.
“I am Keith Mwitiwa the student you are sponsoring at Kamuzu College of Nursing in Malawi. As I already stated, now am in year two. Currently am in Zomba doing my clinical practices at Zomba District Central Hospital which is one of the four referral hospitals in Malawi.
I will stay here for a period of about 9 weeks, that is starting from 7th December 2012 if there will be no change with my academic calendar.
Now am working in a female ward which is made up of three sub-wards consisting surgical patients in one sub-ward, orthoepedic patients in another sub-ward and gynaecological patients in the last sub ward in week 6-8.
I will change to medical ward and in week 9. I will finish my practical session in out patient and emergency clinic.
My best time I like most in the ward am working currently is when I educate and comfort a patient going any kind of operation to ensure I have removed the anxiety and fear inside her. It makes me joyous to see my patient going to theatre well knowledged of what will be done to her with full acceptance.
The awkward times in the ward is when my patient die while am providing care. It pains me much.
The only challenge am facing in zomba is that we are far from main campus as a result there is no lecture or professor to discuss with us on some conditions which were not tackled in class but am obliged to care.
But all in all I feel it so interesting to take it my own responsibility to find information in books and senior professionals in managing these conditions.
Lastly I appreciate all the support you provide to me on my academics and social life. Am very grateful and promise to make good use of them.
Yours faithfully
KEITH MWITIWA.”