“A healthy outside starts from the inside.” – Robert Urich
Salam out there, hope this finds you feeling well from the inside to the outside:)
Life took me to the Fann Hospital. Memories of the various times I accompanied both my parents to the hospital when they were facing health challenges came to mind. Alhamdoulilah they are both doing well. I hadn’t visited this hospital in years, but I have passed in front of it countless of times. Last week ,I watched a few street graffiti artists draw on the walls sous le regard des passants. I think their art work might have been commissioned for the upcoming Jeux Olympiques de la Jeunesse. When I first arrived at the hospital the first thing that caught my attention was the absence of police officers at the door. In other Dakarois hospitals the police asks for identification.
The medical center is vast.Watching the people walking in to visit their loved ones, I was reminded of the fragility of life. Some women were lying down on mats , some appeared very tired, others seemed lost in their thoughts. I imagined they were waiting to hear positive health news concerning their loved ones . Some women were carrying lunch dishes tied with African cloth. I was reminded of the African sense of solidarity that is taught from one generation to the next. This prompted me to think that I need to teach or show examples of compassion towards the sick to my own daughter. In Mali, when one family member is unwell, the whole family comes to visit and spend the whole day. In African culture ,when someone is at the hospital the news travel fast, everybody calls to support the sick and his family.
People participate if they can monetarily as well. The hospital is one of the few places that remind you that time moves slow and fast depending on each person’s perspective. I noticed this young man feeding a sick young woman. He was sitting facing her, they were sharing a plate of tieboudiene ,Senegal’s official dish. From their body languages I could tell they were very close. I was hesitating between siblings or lovers. Whatever they are to each other, there was lots of love between them. As humans , we all need each other. Anybody could get very ill and need someone to stay by their side. While I was sitting by the entry and exit doors I was watching the ballet of people coming in and leaving. Around 6 PM, I watched some of the nurses whose shifts ended all dressed up to go home. One thing about Senegalese women from all backgrounds, they are very much so in love with fashion.
This year batik in all kinds of color is the biggest trend.I imagined that the job of a caretaker is not easy. Seeing people not feel well cannot be easy. Watching helplessy parents, spouses , kids either be sick or supporting their loved ones must be hard. I wonder how do they not take their work back home. It’s one of the most noble profession, bravo à eux. Earlier, around lunch time a truck pulled up and soon after I saw women rushing towards it. It was later explained to me that every Friday one of the most influential marabout of our city helps the families of the sick by providing free food & drinks. Hospital bills can be so expensive. The number of medical scans sometimes required can add up quickly to an expensive budget.Ce n’est vraiment pas facile. May God help us all, Ameen.
‘Till next time InshAllah:)
Yaye
Dakar ...Creating life memories..:) 