The April 2014 No Roads to Health XPD delivered everything that it promised.
Our clinic at Six Mile Public Clinic landed on anti-natal day and the team helped the local staff see the 100 plus woman waiting patiently. The tour of the Port Morseby General Hospital was a major eye opener for all and Colin from the hospital gave the team a detailed account of the challenges the hospital faces as it strives to develop.
The real fun started with the flight to Popondetta and then an eventful 4WD convoy to Buna across a rugged track that found vehicles bogged and slipping across a narrow muddy track. On arrival at Buna we were greeted with shouts of "Oro, Oro, Oro...." as the village welcomed us and the local Health Committee made a speech thanking us for coming. Rodney, the local Kokoda Track Foundation sponsored Community Health Care Worker (CHW), had organised his small and under resourced clinic and the 108 people (yes 108) waiting to see the team - an amazing and humbling experience.
Our clinic at Six Mile Public Clinic landed on anti-natal day and the team helped the local staff see the 100 plus woman waiting patiently. The tour of the Port Morseby General Hospital was a major eye opener for all and Colin from the hospital gave the team a detailed account of the challenges the hospital faces as it strives to develop.
The real fun started with the flight to Popondetta and then an eventful 4WD convoy to Buna across a rugged track that found vehicles bogged and slipping across a narrow muddy track. On arrival at Buna we were greeted with shouts of "Oro, Oro, Oro...." as the village welcomed us and the local Health Committee made a speech thanking us for coming. Rodney, the local Kokoda Track Foundation sponsored Community Health Care Worker (CHW), had organised his small and under resourced clinic and the 108 people (yes 108) waiting to see the team - an amazing and humbling experience.
The next day we loaded up Rodney with us and headed to Kokoda where we visited the hospital and held an impromptu clinic (one of many) in the church grounds. We meet Terry, the other CHW who was trekking with us in Kokoda and, after a well deserved nights sleep, headed on the long trek to Isarava. The team arrived at 3pm on schedule after a solid 8 hours trekking. We attended to a lady who was almost full term and also a man who had cut his hand badly with a machete.
On Saturday, I was under the impression that we would have an easy day trekking across the valley, however I was wrong. We trekked to the beautiful village of Alola (another impromptu clinic) and then headed down a village track to Abuari - a very difficult and steep path that challenged us all. That evening we walked in to another beautiful village of Abuari (Terry's home village) and rotated a very tired team through the clinic.
On Saturday, I was under the impression that we would have an easy day trekking across the valley, however I was wrong. We trekked to the beautiful village of Alola (another impromptu clinic) and then headed down a village track to Abuari - a very difficult and steep path that challenged us all. That evening we walked in to another beautiful village of Abuari (Terry's home village) and rotated a very tired team through the clinic.
Our last day trekking saw us heading back to Kanandara; about 20 mins drive from Kokoda. This was another challenging day and the porters shone as they built a stretcher and carried an injured trekker (extremely sore knees but fine now) out on a stretcher they built on the track.
This was an amazing adventure and the team bonded extremely well under some trying circumstances. I would especially like to thanks Kristin who did an amazing job as the clinical team leader ensuring that our skills mix was utilised to its potential and also my wife Cheryl for allowing me to share with her this beautiful country and it's beautiful people.
Stewart "Sooty" Kreltszheim
Expedition Guides
No Roads Expeditions
health@noroads.com.au
This was an amazing adventure and the team bonded extremely well under some trying circumstances. I would especially like to thanks Kristin who did an amazing job as the clinical team leader ensuring that our skills mix was utilised to its potential and also my wife Cheryl for allowing me to share with her this beautiful country and it's beautiful people.
Stewart "Sooty" Kreltszheim
Expedition Guides
No Roads Expeditions
health@noroads.com.au