Long considered one of the most stable of African countries, civil war has resulted in a division into approximate halves, north and south. Each has one major referral hospital where the significant surgery takes place. In the northern hospital at Bouake, the professors nearly all left, resulting in minimal professional staff and no finances. The French section of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) took over the financing and provided a rotation of competent specialists to supplement and assist the local staff.

There were all the usual civilian problems of Africa, obstetrical disasters, and some war wounds. The hospital is well equipped and the nursing staff excellent to work with, as were my Ivorian medical colleagues.

   gored by wild ox

   stepped on land mine 

held the grenade too long                                                 bitten by hippopotamus