Notes from Jill Woodward from South Lyon:
We visited the hospital this afternoon. Upon arrival we were given hand sanitizer for our hands and had our temperature taken. We went through that building to another building where we went through the same process. Duane was recognized by that person.
Allen Zomonway, the director, joined us to give us the tour. Due to gas prices and shortage there was no power in most of the buildings. The doctors, nurses, and staff are doing the best they can but under tough circumstances. They don’t often receive their financial support in a timely manner. Many patients cannot pay and the services end up ‘gratis’ or pro bono. This past year, pro-bono was over $100,000. That is a small fortune there.
We saw many new mothers and their babies. There were 3 sets of twins. The women stay 24 hours if there are no complications. Patients come from many different districts. Some come with one support person and there is house for all of them. They cook for their family who are in the hospital.
The children’s wing is looking to buy all new, metal beds as the government has ‘condemned’ the wooden beds. The hospital is not sure where the needed funds will come from as shipping beds is very expensive.
What pained the hearts of many team members was hearing the story of a young boy who came in with breathing problems and needed oxygen which required a generator and fuel. The family was told they needed to buy the fuel but they couldn’t. The boy is on oxygen but that took the generator away from other things. As it is, the building only has power part of the day.
Some renovation has taken place but a lot more needs to be done! As I said these wonderful people are doing the best that they can under, what to us, is horrible circumstances, but they are persevering. The hospital is considered to be one of the best in the area.