Nurith Frövel volunteered at our partner hospital in Nyangao, Tanzania, for the fourth time (previous assignments in 2019, 2022, 2023 - we reported).

Due to her training and expertise as a midwife, she became intensively involved in the field of obstetrics and was able to see where progress had been made and where there was still some catching up to do. "A lot has improved since my last visit here in Nyangao," she says enthusiastically. There have been positive changes in many areas. For example, fewer births are being induced and fewer amniotic sacs are being opened without a clear indication, she continues. Medication during births is also more individually tailored.

However, there are still shortages of various measuring instruments, such as a pulse oximeter for newborns. This is extremely important in order to monitor the oxygen supply to babies. The existing devices are only suitable for children's fingers and it is therefore not possible to take meaningful measurements on babies. Additional birthing beds of a sufficient width for mother and child would also be necessary; the existing beds are very narrow, so there is a risk of the babies falling out.

Ms. Frövel also made good use of her time in Tanzania in other ways: among other things, she improved her Swahili and began communicating with patients and colleagues in their local language, which was very well received.

Nurith Frövel cites the 25th anniversary of the nuns as a highlight of her trip, to which she was invited and was thus able to immerse herself even more in the culture and traditions of the local people.

During a visit to one of the outreach project's villages, she became interested in the cashew fruit - we are only familiar with the kernels - and was then presented with fruit and the tasty juice by the villagers.

We are very happy to have such a committed and motivated participant in Ms. Frövel and hope to have her on many more assignments.