This
hospital lies about 22 miles southwest of the county town of Bráila
and is on the main road from Bráila to Slobozia. It is situated
on the northern edge of the village Viziru and was first mentioned to me
by the
English speaking doctor from Dudesti. The hospital is a sectia
exsterioare ( external section) of the county hospital in Bráila
and is used mainly for old people with chronic diseases. The emergencies
go straight to the county hospital which is not far away.
I
asked the director to type me a letter for the Romanian customs. I could
not believe the typewriter he had to use, it was falling apart, so the
Trust gave the hospital one donated
by Dane Court Grammar School, Broadstairs. Paul and Kathy accompanied me
on this trip and we all
stayed in the directors office. Strip lights have never been fitted, as
with many hospitals and dispensaries, the bulbs giving a harsh low light
everywhere. Although they have been living
with this situation for several years now, it is still very difficult
for the patients and staff to live and work in these conditions. The
director, Dr Ene, was soon to retire, 
but
would still be working as a doctor in the hospital. The new director Dr
Silva, was due to start after we had left.
Most
of the hospitals, and villagers, have several dogs living in the
grounds, they use them as guard dogs. These dogs are usually not very
friendly, due to their treatment, but with a little kindness they do
respond and we became very friendly with them.
Although the hospital had no dispensaries connected to it, the county
hospital did, so we helped them. The
dispensaries in the villages have 
no
running water, as do the villagers, so all water had to be brought from
the well. The contraption you see in the photo can be found in
all the dispensaries. The container on top is filled with water, and has
a rubber tube leading from it to a metal support. This
support
has a small metal bar across the tube to clamp it closed. The metal bar
is connected to a foot pedal, and when this is pressed
it releases the water from the tube into the sink. The sink has a bucket
underneath to catch the waste water. We had many problems at Báráganu
Dispensary. The first time we visited we found that
the ceiling was solid concrete and we could not drill through it. On the
next visit we took a special hammer drill but when we got there the
village had a power cut. We did eventually fit the lights.
Many
of the dispensaries have dentists, the problem being not only do they
not have enough supplies but when the dentist retires they cannot find
another one. This is happening all over the country, especially in the
more remote villages.
The
hospital did not have running water, they used a well, which was also
shared by many of the villagers. Most of the men who
fit the lights are not trained as electricians, more like odd job men.
Most of the time it is not a problem as you can show them how to fit the
lights. Before we leave the hospital we check that every light is fitted
and working before the director
signs a list of the aid given. The Trust
uses this list to check the hospitals on future visits.
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