Health and the Peace Corps

The picutres are again from the participants in conversation clubs. These are part of the finalists for the exhibit of 50. Please feel free to comment below on any of the pictures and I will pass along to the students. Yes, I have walked across that bridge.

The Peace Corps is very concerned about the health of Volunteers. The medical exam during the application process is to be quite vigorous because we naturally are exposed to more health risks and have limited access to health care facilities and resources. Linda and I have been quite fortunate and generally in good health. The medical team has had to pay little attention to us.

We have a Volunteer who turned 80 while here in Azerbaijan. Recently she moved to a new host family and was out in the shower area when she lost consciousness. It may have been an hour or so before anyone found her. The local emergency medical was called as was the police. Once the Peace Corps was notified, she was transfered to Baku and tests were run. She has stated that she is fine and the tests were all negative for any problems. However, the decision was made that she be returned to the United States. She was disappointed, but we certainly understand the position of the Peace Corps.

This past year a 23 year female Volunteer died in Moraco due to a sudden illness. The Peace Corps attempts to keep us as healthy and protected as possible. It is also the responsibility of the Volunteers to eleminate as much risk as possible.

We are very careful about our water, food, cleanliness, and hygene. While other Volunteers may chose to stop boiling their water or not take health precautions. This past week we had to make a day-trip into Baku for medical follow-up and dental care. The 5 hours on a crowded mini-bus and 3 hours on crowded city busses leave us exhausted and exposed to many common illnesses. Linda missed a couple of days of work due to feeling ill after the trip. Luckily we will not have to make any more of the daytrips for a while. Once the weather gets better, everyone gets healthier.

We very much appreciate the medical care we receive. We were given flu shots and H1N1 vacinations this year. A few Volunteers did not want to take either, but it was mandatory. It is an awsome responsibility to care for the health and safety of over 100 people.

We look forward to the coming of spring and hope the weather improves for all of you in the United States.