Backboards in Africa!

In my preparation of the current Basic Trauma Training curriculum I learned that Kibogora Hospital did not have a backboard. For those of you who do not work in the medical field, a backboard is like a giant body splint. It is used to immobilize patients who may have very serious head, neck, and spinal injuries which could potentially result in paralysis or even death. At home a back board is considered a basic essential. How could I teach proper care of spinal injuries without a backboard? We could have one made!
I drafted some plans for a back board and measured out every detail, or at least I thought I had… Apparently it wasn’t obvious that the thing was supposed to be able to support the weight of an adult. The first attempt was made of paper thin balsa wood! I couldn’t help but laugh, I suppose it was my own fault for drafting the plans in only 2 dimensions. When we explained that the board was supposed to be used to move patients and therefore needed to be sturdy enough bare up to 90 kg. we all laughed.
The next version was proudly presented to us on Julie’s lawn. I made Naomi try it out this time while all the Zamoos (guards) picked her up. It worked well and for the most part it resembles a real backboard. It is the first backboard for all of the Southern Province! We have plans to “break it in” during Mondays classes.