Team PATA

CHU de Yopougon Clinic in Abidjan, Côte D'Ivoire

Nguetta Paulette of the CHU de Yopougon clinic in Abidjan, Côte D'Ivoire, looks back on 2007 and the impact the previous PATA conference had on their team in preparing for PATA 2007. This report was translated by Virgile Mahoro.

PATA: How did PATA 2006 influence you, immediately afterwards?

NP: Participating in PATA 2006 has improved my relations with patients. I never used to greet all the patients. I only used to do that for the ones I felt sympathy for. After the conference, I always start my work day by greeting patients who are present at the clinic. I wish them a warm welcome and I always tell them to be patient since the consultation doesn't take too long. I always try to do something about patients in a long queue. I offer sandwiches and biscuits to children.

PATA: And how did it influence your clinic about 3 months after PATA 2006?

NP: Even though we don't have enough appropriate means to have an ideal healthcare system, our way of welcoming patients has made them less complaining. They patiently wait in long queues and they have courage to come to the next appointment. PATA: And six months after?

NP: We still have difficulties, but we have noticed a decrease in problems. This is due to the additional efforts through the sensitization of our authorities and our heads of service.

Though we encountered challenges, the results of our activities in the first term of 2007 are encouraging. For example, out of 791 tests proposed to patients, all have accepted to have them.

PATA: Has your clinic been able to dedicate time to outreach work such as mentoring and sharing your expertise in the community.

NP: Yes. We have put in place early disclosure and the interaction between patients and staff. The counsellors are now involved in the pre-disclosure and post disclosure. The tasks that doctors used to do are now done by counsellors. They are now much more valued. In this regard, patients trust counsellors more and more. We have initiated a counsellor-patient communication by using simple words to explain the illness, to prepare the patients to be on treatment. There are pictures that illustrate AIDS.

PATA: Which issues would you like to see addressed at PATA 2007?

NP: We would like to see more about how we can manage orphans and those affected by HIV/AIDS. Also, we want to know more about how to handle manage burnout of our health workers.