CANDID DISCUSSION WITH DR PAUL McMASTERS

Dr. Paul McMasters visits with VIM team members

At our request, the staff set up a time for our team to visit with Dr. Paul McMasters, a British surgeon volunteering at the hospital for a few months. He usually works in Uganda but felt called to Maua this year.

He filled us in on some of the area customs like "cutting" as an act of retribution, female circumcision, polygamy and the use of mirra (a plant grown around here that has the effect of an amphetamine). He also talked about the many improvements that the hospital has made and is making.

He told us that this is actually a relatively affluent part of Kenya but only about 10% of Kenyans are rich and the balance are poor. Still, life expectancy is only about 40 years because so many die from AIDS.

There seems to be considerable fighting between tribes in this area. If you poach, they cut the offenders tendons in the arm and/or leg as punishment. They use a large machete like knife called a panga. Women get cut as well as men.

Domestic violence, according to Dr. McMasters, is prevelant; last week he saw a women with a spear in her back (placed there by her husband).

The drug mirra is grown in this area - especailly during and right after the rainy seasons. It suppresses the appetite. Traditionally it was used only be men, However, during the recent droughts, women started using it as well to dampen hunger pains.

McMasters said that across Africa women are treated poorly. Their hemoglobin is at 50%, they have worms, and there is great malnutrition. A woman's dowery is 13 cows because she is expected to raise 13 sons (and each will need a cow). The first wife often chooses the 2nd wife and is grateful for the help.

A huge improvement has been introduction of plastic 20 liter jugs which have replaced the old clay jars women once used to fetch water. Now, because of the lighter weight container, small children can fetch water, too.

The doctor was especially impressed that this hospital is offering a family planning program; he said he had not seen anything like in in Africa.

He urged us to support the United Nations. They are "on the ground" in Africa and are doing good and are perceived as neutral (unlike the Americans and the British).