IDP: Internally Displaced PeopleYou may remember the post election violence of 2007. The whole world was surprised when tribalism reared its ugly head in Kenya- one of the most stable countries of Sub Sarahan Africa. It was a bloody period and many people were chased from their homes, their stuff burned, and family members beaten or killed. So what happend next? Well, they formed IDP camps and live there still today. We visited one near Kijabe Hospital today, and played with the kids. Great time. In a discussion with a friend in Peru, we decided that poverty is more about disparity than lack of resources. It is true here today. For some reason, in a country as rich as Kenya, these people have been living in tents for over 2 years now. The kids are dirty, runny noses, no shoes, with big bellies indicative of intestinal parasites and ring worm and other fungal infections. But we had a lot of fun and made friends. I hope to go back to the IDP camp and screen for TB, time and resources allowing. One of the camp leaders said this has not been done before and a lot of people suffer from cough.
Just to update on the idea of screening the IDP camp for TB: its not possible. Unfortunately, due to certain barriers and lack of resources, we cannot just go down to the IDP camp and set up shop. That would be fine if there was anyone else who is doing it, but there isn't. The only hope we have now is to advocate for the people of the IDP camp, and hopefully we can do that. But my Kenyan friend made a good point when we were discussing this- we can easily run down there and do what we can till the money runs out, but then what? Not only are we limited even in that, but we inhibit those who should be fulfilling that function from doing so. Instead, we have to look for sustainable solutions. This is a very difficult thing to swallow, especially when it is obvious that many people likely have TB and are spreading it without any intervention.
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