connections

The best part of global health work is bringing likeminded people together. Then the magic happens. Rediet, an Ethiopian anesthesiologist, has come to learn about how Gaston set up the effective pain management program in Butare. She is hoping to implement a similar program in Addis Abba. Mary, pain specialist from Halifax, has been supporting Gaston for years and now she has bonded with Rediet. It is so rewarding to be part of this exciting network.

Gaston and the Butare team have done a marvellous job of organizing the first pain conference in Rwanda. There are 230 people attending - a mixed group of health professionals from around Rwanda (plus some visiting Canadians and Rediet from Ethiopia).

Banner for the First International Conference on Pain Management in LIC

We were warmly welcomed by medical students in traditional Rwandan dress. Gaston had prepared beautiful conference packages for the attendees.

Registration desk

We heard a range of perspectives today with a good discussion about barriers to pain management in this context. One I hadn't anticipated was a religious view that suffering pain is God's will. I gave two short presentations with the key messages being that pain is complex, touches many aspects of a person's being and treatments must be comprehensive. I encouraged everyone to remember non-pharmacologic options (working with patient expectations, listening, distraction for kids, physical modalities etc.).

Jon co-taught a regional anesthesia workshop with Alain, a Rwandan resident and expert in regional anesthesia. It was a pleasure to see how Alain has matured into the role of confident and skillful teacher.

Jon teaching ultrasound guided regional anesthesia

Alain teaching ultrasound on a medical student volunteer

At one time, anesthesia was the least desirable specialty. Alain was recently on the selection committee for new anesthesia residents. The tides have turned and now they pick the best. Indeed, they were not able to offer places to many of the applicants. This is truly a success story.

We have been busy working but found time yesterday to visit one of my favourite sandwich shops, Inzozi Nziza, run by a women's drumming cooperative. Superb cinnamon ice cream with cookie crumbles was a hit with our team.

The pain conference continues tomorrow and then we have a VAST Butare refresher course. I hope we can squeeze in one more visit to Inzozi Nziza.

Cinnamon ice cream with cookie crumbles