3/21/2026
Hello, friends!
I have an hour before my ride picks me up for the airport, so I thought I would share some details of the conference and our Community of Practice information...
Much of the conference seems to be focused on AI, much to the annoyance of Rachel and I, which will be interesting. I have a lot of misgivings about AI in general, but especially when it is marketed as a solution for areas that are in serious need of more resources and educated medical professionals. As I have mentioned many times in the past, a large problem with the archaic academic environment in Uganda (and many developing countries) is the lack of critical thinking skills training. Many of the AI programs offered for OB/GYN do not encourage more critical thinking, but seem to bypass it altogether, using automatic image capturing that is transferred somewhere else for diagnosis. Who is going to make the diagnosis? Uganda has a little over 50 million people (as of 2024) and only 75 - 100 radiologists. How are the images going to be sent? Throughout rural Uganda, power outages can often be a daily occurrence and computer skills are minimal or lacking altogether. And what about STAT cases that need immediate triage? And don't even get me started on the amount of energy used and the environmental impact on countries that have already been pillaged for their resources. I am going to try my best to be respectful and professional, but I am also prepared to ask some hard questions.
What began as an attempt to use carryon luggage only, as now turned into 2 large, checked bags and a small carryon. 😆 Thanks to a last-minute opening at the conference, Rachel will be able to bring along her new Midwife/Clinical Manager for the birth center, so I am now bringing supplies for her to take back to Uganda. Rachel has sent me some new privacy curtains and large inflatable exercise balls for the birth center, which were bigger than expected and take up half of a large suitcase. Having a bigger bag doesn't do me any favors, because I tend to overpack, throwing in items that I "might" use. 😁 But I will have plenty of room on my trip back!
This week I stopped into a small knitting shop in Duvall, WA. I had not been there in ages, and it just so happened that they had the small foldable scissors that I use for the knit kits, at a very reasonable price. I ordered a dozen and explained to the owner what I was using them for and how I have been teaching the midwives knitting. She has graciously offered to clean out her worsted weight yarn at home and donate it to me!
Alright, I have a few more things to do before I take off, so I am going to wrap it up. I have decided to bring along my computer, but I am not sure if I will have time to check in from Kenya, so you might not hear from me until I return. I promise to take plenty of photos, as usual!
Bon Voyage (to me!) and much love,
Jo/MB
Have a great trip, Jo ! (spreading knitting world wide !)
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