Peace Corps Medical Kits

        Every Peace Corps volunteer is given a medical kit.  This medical kit stays at their site the entire time they are in the Peace Corps.  The purpose is to solve minor injuries and illnesses (or begin treatment of possible larger illnesses) without requiring volunteers to come receive medical treatment in Kigali every time.  This saves a lot of time and money for both the Peace Corps and the volunteer.  Here is what is in the kit:

Loperamide:  Used to control excessive diarrhea and cramps.  Used when a volunteer needs to travel on the bus.

Ciprofloxacin:  Taken when diarrhea is extreme and a doctor is concerned that the volunteer had dysentery.  This must be used in conjunction with major fluid intake. 

Sepasoothe:  These are sore throat lozenges for minor sore throat pain.

Miralac:  The tablets are taken for heartburn, stomach pain, and indigestion.

Diotame:  Used for nausea, upset stomachs, diarrhea, and heartburn. 

Aypanal:  A fever reducer and pain reliever. 

Diphen:  The pills provide relief for runny noses, sneezing, itching eyes, and general allergic reactions.

Cedaprin:  An ibuprofen that reduces fever and minor pains.

Swift:  Sinus decongestants for hay fever, colds, and nasal passage blockage.

Bismuth:  Pepto-Bismol tablets for upset stomachs, diarrhea, and heartburn. 

Sucrets:  Sore throat and cough formula lozenges. 

Rehydration Salts:  Mixed with one liter of drinking water, this is used for rehydration of volunteers during periods of severe diarrhea. 

Coartem:  Taken when volunteers feel that they have symptoms due to acute malaria.  This pill has significantly improved the recovery of people that are affected with malaria.  Prior to Coartem, recovery from malaria was much more extensive and difficult to administer.

There are other contents in the medical kit for various uses:

adhesive tape

malaria slide preparation kit

condoms

band-aids

gauze pads

anti-itch ointment

disposable thermometers

antiseptic

antibiotic ointment

floss

tick and insect repellent

anti-fungal cream

whistle

chap stick

tweezers

stool sample collection kit

iodine tablets for emergency drinking water

scissors

rubber gloves