Today, our team took a divide-and-conquer approach, splitting into two groups to maximize our impact. Jules and Gaby headed to Freetown to meet with one of Sierra Leone’s only two nephrologists, Dr. Kabia, while the rest of us stayed in Makeni to finalize the setup of our devices in selected locations.
Dr. Kabia expressed immense interest in the project, and was impressed with AISHA’s practicality in a hospital setting. Although it is too late in our fieldwork to begin a formal partnership, the AISHA team is planning on continuing contact with him throughout the year so that during next year’s fieldwork more progress can be made towards installing a device in his facility.
Natalie, Simone, Vrushti, and Maaz began with a visit to Makeni Regional Hospital, where we had a scheduled meeting with Dr. Martin to workshop and demonstrate our device. Originally planned for 11 AM, the meeting was delayed due to Dr. Martin’s busy schedule, and we finally met at 1 PM. Despite the wait, the meeting was brief but productive. Dr. Martin was genuinely impressed with our demo, and we discussed the next steps for using the device, including how we can support him with backend work such as fixing code or adding new content. We also agreed to biweekly reports to monitor the device’s performance on both sides, ensuring ongoing collaboration and problem-solving.
After our meeting with Dr. Martin, we headed to Loreto to meet with the coordinator and explore the possibility of implementing our device there, following a recommendation from Sister Adama. The coordinator greeted us warmly and was equally impressed with the device. However, we couldn’t do a full demo because the WiFi hadn’t been topped up for the week. We arranged to return the next day to set up the device properly before our departure.
Returning to Dr. Martin’s office, we helped him set up the Alexa device, as he informed us that he would be out of town the next day. Eager to complete the task, we rushed to his office, where he had gathered several staff members eager to learn. However, we hit a major snag: the Alexa app wasn’t available for download on his iPhone in this region. After exhausting all possible solutions, Maaz suggested using an APK on Dr. Martin’s Android device. Dr. Martin quickly went home to retrieve the device while we waited at the hospital.
During this downtime, Natalie and Vrushti struck up a conversation with a volunteer working under Dr. Martin. They learned about his inspiring journey into healthcare, driven by a passion for kidney issues and diabetes. His story, filled with self-taught knowledge from online resources, exemplified the resilience and determination of the people of Sierra Leone, despite being vastly under-resourced compared to the U.S.
When Dr. Martin returned, we finally managed to set up the app and device successfully. Although the day was filled with challenges and frustrations, it ended on a high note. We established a strong, long-lasting partnership that we hope will endure for at least a year, setting the stage for our return.
In retrospect, while the day was challenging, it was also incredibly productive. We overcame obstacles, built relationships, and laid the groundwork for future success. This experience reminded us that perseverance, teamwork, and a shared commitment to our mission can turn even the most frustrating days into significant milestones.