This week has been a whirlwind of ups and downs. It began with the commencement of the HGV trainer training from the UK volunteer at NIT. Apart from a few teething problems, the training began as planned, the three trainers selected for the training arrived eager and enthusiastic to learn! The purpose of the training is to improve the standard of training offered at NIT, for two weeks three existing driver trainers will undertake additional training to improve their existing skills. This type of training at NIT is highly sought after and appreciated by everyone involved for its significant benefit to the institute. Hopefully as a result of the training, the NIT trainers will be able to pass their knowledge to the other trainers at NIT to produce the most widespread benefits. Throughout the week I have played host to the UK trainer, trying to make his time in Tanzania as enjoyable as possible. While the training was going on I was busy confirming the arrangements for filming that was due to take place the following week. On Thursday I had to make my excuses as it seemed that the work from the week was catching up on me and I needed an early night. When I woke up on Friday morning I felt extremely tired and a had slightly sore throat. I continued my day as normal until I met with a colleague at NIT mid-morning for chai. I posed the question to my colleague if it would be possible to have malaria again, only a week after testing negative, I was advised it was unlikely but possible. Later that morning I went to the NIT doctor and asked to be tested as a precaution, thinking nothing would come from it I returned to work and collected my results an hour later. Unfortunately the test was positive for malaria again. The doctor promptly wrote a prescription for an alternative treatment and I went to collect the medication from the pharmacy – a place I am becoming far too familiar with. Luckily, Neil and Aggie from Transaid were due to arrive in Tanzania later in the day so I felt very happy that I would not be alone during this case of malaria. I spent most of the weekend in bed with terrible headaches and dizziness but there were positive signs that my condition was improving. On Monday I reluctantly visited the hospital to have a check up, (I didn’t feel like I was ill enough to warrant a visit on this occasion). Neil and Aggie insisted I visit the hospital to ensure the treatment I had been given was adequate and try to derive some conclusions as to how I had contracted malaria again, regardless of all the precautions and previous treatment. It is not possible to definitively conclude if I had been re-infected or if the original treatment was not 100% effective. Following a full blood test, the hospital advised that at the current time it appears that the malaria has gone, however I would need to have a follow-up test in a weeks time to check again. I am now back at work, in what I hope is almost full health! |