First week over already!
Been a varied and busy week, getting the feel of the place and how things work. Met so many people, especially at health office and out in the Barungays (districts), everyone welcoming.

This week I've helped cook at an elementary school, and come up with a couple of recipes for the vegetable mix they have to use. Ive been out to various districts. Spent time in La Paz district helping health workers with screening. Worked in the City Health Office trying to sort their paper files and collect data on patients (not many hypertensive patients are compliant to their treatment here - and we think we have a problem in the UK!). To get some more medicine free of charge, they first have to visit their health worker, who will give them a referral to the City office. They then have to attend the city health office to see one of the 2 doctors employed there. After which they are given a months worth of medicine. Not an easy process and there's no such thing as patient confidentiality! Of course they can always go to a pharmacy and purchase the tablets themselves, but many just don't bother doing either.

Let's see what the next 3 bring!

PS hot, humid occasional rain for approx 30 mins