Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things

by Dr. Kim Chen, Lalmba Medical Director

Let us tell you about some of the extraordinary good that ordinary medical practitioners can accomplish with Lalmba!

Birtukan is a 1 1/2 year old girl who was brought to Lalmba's Chiri Health Center in rural Ethiopia by her mother, who was concerned because Birtukan could not sit unassisted. A local nurse diagnosed her with severe malnutrition and admitted her to the health center to be fed specialized formula for severely malnourished children. After nine days of frequent feeds, Birtukan regained strength, added 1.5 pounds, and was able to sit by herself. Her mother attended cooking and nutrition classes while at the health center and gained the knowledge to help prevent malnutrition in the future.  There are many causes of malnutrition, including extreme poverty, but the amazing thing about the severe malnutrition we see in our clinic in Ethiopia is that it is not usually caused by famine or lack of food---it is often related to a lack of knowledge.  Parents don't understand what foods are required for children's healthy growth.  This is one reason our public health programs are so vital to the people there.


Mary, in her late twenties, walked an hour from her village near the Tanzanian border to Lalmba's Ochuna satellite clinic in rural Kenya. She had persistent fevers, body aches, and headaches. After being diagnosed with malaria and given medicines to combat the disease, Mary was offered HIV testing, which she readily accepted. Given the 25% HIV prevalence in the lake regions of western Kenya, Mary was pleased to hear that her result was negative.

Moses is a healthy 7 year- old boy attending school in rural Kenya. He and his classmates are lining up to take medicines to expel intestinal worms, which can cause diarrhea, anemia, and other gastrointestinal problems. He is looking forward to middle school when Lalmba's health education team will teach kids about HIV prevention.

Are you looking for different challenges in your life? Are you interested becoming a global health volunteer, directing a medical team that treats tuberculosis and malaria?  Are you interested in leading public health outreach that educates communities on nutrition and safe deliveries?

If you are a physician, a nurse practitioner, a physician assistant, or a public health educator, Lalmba would like to support your endeavors. With your help and in the spirit of global health, we strive to build capacity in rural communities in East Africa. Visit our website at www.lalmba.org.