Roo was admitted Saturday night in a Hospital off Cottage Rd on the outskirts of Freetown. 
He was convulsing with high fever and James’ phone could not get through to my phone in America so he hurried his child to the only hospital open on the weekend.
Immediately, the medical staff begins to tell James how Roo’s problem might be malaria but that he also had an electrolyte deficiency that the tests show this. Yeah, right? They don’t have the technology to perform a test for that. When I told James this and told him they were bluffing, the staff began finding other reasons and tests to hold Roo in the hospital.
James said the place had cockroaches, but that isn’t anything unusual in Freetown. He said the nurses refused to speak to Kadijah, ignoring her completely.
They have given Roo no real treatment, yet he is improving and these pictures show him frolicking around. 
So why is he still there? 
The doctor refuses to release him for 72 hours in order to raise his fees. They have admitted that Roo’s tests are normal! They now say there was no “electrolyte problem” but they hold him “hostage” until they get the amount of money they think they can squeeze out of James.
I told James to leave, get out of there. Roo looks much better, no help from the hospital and he is exposed to much more disease each moment he stays. I told James, pay the doctor but tell him that we know what he is doing and it is wrong, then leave.
Healthcare in America? At least we are treated, yes the system is all about money, but at least our doctors and nurses have compassion and want to make sure their patients are treated. I pity those in Sierra Leone who are sick and must also contend with uncaring money hungry medical staff. I know there are good-hearted, caring doctors in Salone, but for every one we find, ten greedy ones lurk around the corner. Please pray for the healthcare establishment of Sierra Leone.
We also ask your prayers for my daughter, Aleica and her unborn child, a little girl named Leila, they have been admitted to hospital with complications from H1N1.
