Dauphin nurse, Kirk Nyquist, is back in the Dauphin after working at the Fitche Hospital in Ethiopia for a month.
Nyquist was part of a Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief mission to the country, trying to help build a stronger health system.
Nyquist said that the education of the nurses is Ethiopia is equal to that of his own, but the major problem is that the Ethiopian government has not set up a proper health care system for the country.
“We in Canada like to complain about our health care system, but let me tell you something, we have one, and it works,” said Nyquist. “So be proud of that.”
He described the situation of an Ethiopian emergency room this way.
“In this system, you walk in and you get assessed by a doctor or a nurse who writes you a prescription. You and/or your family then walk over to the pharmacy to go get your I.V. solution, your I.V. tubing, and your medications, then you come back to the emergency department with your medications in your hand,” said Nyquist. “So, treatment is delayed until you buy your own medication.”
Nyquist recommends other nurses and doctors take the trip.
“I want to encourage other nurses and doctors out there, that if you’re looking for a change, our industry is high-stress, we work shift work,” said Nyquist. “This is an opportunity to just take a break doing something that we do, but doing it elsewhere and I can tell you, it’s as much as a rest, as it is a break.”
For people interested in learning about the Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief, you can go to their website.
Be sure to listen to 730 CKDM after the noon ag show today for the full interview with Kirk Nyquist.
