No Roads to Health - Central Track Expedition
The world does not have to be perfect………………. To be Wonderful!
As the first rays of soft daylight crept across the Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby, the 3779 graves of fallen diggers slowly rose from the dark in perfect formation as if they were on parade, standing tall one more time to mark their respect to their fallen mates. The crowds of people who had gathered in the dark to be part of the service stood silently as the Last Post eerily echoed across the grounds.
Its Anzac day 2015, 100 years after the landing at Gallipoli and the cemetery is filled with men women and children, who have come to pay respects to the service men and women who sacrificed their lives to ensure our freedom. Also attending this service were several groups of trekkers who had just completed the gruelling 96km Kokoda Track as well as a small team of dedicated Health Professionals who had made the journey from Australia to P.N.G to not just give thanks and pay respects but to provide much needed medical assistance and mentoring to the villages at the heart of the Kokoda campaign.
The April No Roads 2 Health Central Track expedition covered 5 medical clinics in total with the first one being in Port Moresby and the remainder on the track at the various aid posts in each village.
From the very first clinic held in Moresby it was evident the depth of experience that was on hand in this group and the way their skills all complimented each other was amazing to watch. We were fortunate to have Fiona from No Roads witness our first clinic and her daughter Hannah (2nd year nursing student) was put to work very quickly to assist during the day. The smiles on the exhausted team’s faces when we left the clinic late that evening as the children ran along the bus, waving at us was priceless.
The No Roads 2 Health “Dream Team” were directed by Clinical co-ordinator Kristin who had been a part of the November 2013 No Roads 2 Health Expedition. The rest of the team consisted of Dr Barry, Nurses Cait and Deb (mid wife) as well as physiotherapist Georgia. The team were also supported by Carolyn who covered all triage and admin related matters during the clinics.
As the first rays of soft daylight crept across the Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby, the 3779 graves of fallen diggers slowly rose from the dark in perfect formation as if they were on parade, standing tall one more time to mark their respect to their fallen mates. The crowds of people who had gathered in the dark to be part of the service stood silently as the Last Post eerily echoed across the grounds.
Its Anzac day 2015, 100 years after the landing at Gallipoli and the cemetery is filled with men women and children, who have come to pay respects to the service men and women who sacrificed their lives to ensure our freedom. Also attending this service were several groups of trekkers who had just completed the gruelling 96km Kokoda Track as well as a small team of dedicated Health Professionals who had made the journey from Australia to P.N.G to not just give thanks and pay respects but to provide much needed medical assistance and mentoring to the villages at the heart of the Kokoda campaign.
The April No Roads 2 Health Central Track expedition covered 5 medical clinics in total with the first one being in Port Moresby and the remainder on the track at the various aid posts in each village.
From the very first clinic held in Moresby it was evident the depth of experience that was on hand in this group and the way their skills all complimented each other was amazing to watch. We were fortunate to have Fiona from No Roads witness our first clinic and her daughter Hannah (2nd year nursing student) was put to work very quickly to assist during the day. The smiles on the exhausted team’s faces when we left the clinic late that evening as the children ran along the bus, waving at us was priceless.
The No Roads 2 Health “Dream Team” were directed by Clinical co-ordinator Kristin who had been a part of the November 2013 No Roads 2 Health Expedition. The rest of the team consisted of Dr Barry, Nurses Cait and Deb (mid wife) as well as physiotherapist Georgia. The team were also supported by Carolyn who covered all triage and admin related matters during the clinics.
Another part of this expedition was for No Roads 2 Education Co-ordinator Daniel Hogarth to visit schools along the way and conduct assessments of each facility and determine the resources and training required to ensure the teachers on the track can deliver quality lessons to their students. Daniel who is a No Roads Guide and a Teacher was also accompanied by Bruce a Principal who brought many years of experience in teaching large mixed age classes as encountered in most P.N.G. remote schools.
After flying in to Efogi, the crew immediately set off for Kagi to conduct the first clinic on the track. Likewise the following days consisted of early morning walks to the next clinic and afternoons filled with health assessments and training that went well into the evening. The sheer number of locals who attended the clinics at Kagi, Naduri, Efogi and Menari was proof that the presence of the team was much needed.
To the local Community Health Workers Jackson, Jerry, Joshua and Dinima, thank you for engaging the locals and for applying yourselves to polish your skills and to learn new things.
Quote of the week came from Local Health Care Worker Nicholas who commented on the clinical work and mentoring provided by the team:
“I have worked in remote PNG for nearly 30 years and I have never seen such a complete group of people pass on so much medical knowledge and expertise to our CHW’s (Community Health Workers.) Thank you to No Roads 2 Health for helping us out and sending such important people.”
After flying in to Efogi, the crew immediately set off for Kagi to conduct the first clinic on the track. Likewise the following days consisted of early morning walks to the next clinic and afternoons filled with health assessments and training that went well into the evening. The sheer number of locals who attended the clinics at Kagi, Naduri, Efogi and Menari was proof that the presence of the team was much needed.
To the local Community Health Workers Jackson, Jerry, Joshua and Dinima, thank you for engaging the locals and for applying yourselves to polish your skills and to learn new things.
Quote of the week came from Local Health Care Worker Nicholas who commented on the clinical work and mentoring provided by the team:
“I have worked in remote PNG for nearly 30 years and I have never seen such a complete group of people pass on so much medical knowledge and expertise to our CHW’s (Community Health Workers.) Thank you to No Roads 2 Health for helping us out and sending such important people.”
On returning to Moresby after leaving the track some follow up assessments were conducted on some children who had required urgent medical procedures the previous week. To see these kids again and the change in their conditions since medical intervention was delivered was a real special moment. There wasn't a dry eye in the place when the team saw the improvement in one girl who’s condition had seen her stop attending school due to the associated pain and lack of mobility. To see her run up to us and give us all a big hug and to hear that she had attended school again was just brilliant. Nothing needed to be said. The results spoke for themselves.
Clinical Achievements:
Highlights of our trip were:
To the clinical crew, Kristin, Barry, Deb, Cait, Georgia and Carolyn the people of PNG needed you and you delivered. I have no idea how to properly thank you all for being part of a very important team.
Thanks for allowing me to witness and be part of such an amazing journey, for letting me guide you all through remote PNG to deliver your skills to the locals who desperately needed your help.
To Stewart Kreltszheim and Jo Bergman, the tireless work from you and previous No Roads 2 Health Expeditions has laid the foundations to make trips like this possible.
To Dan and Bruce, No Roads 2 Education is in good hands and is about to blossom due to your efforts.
If you or someone you know has the skills required to help on an upcoming expedition, please get in touch. The people of PNG really do need you!
I look forward to working with you all again soon.
Until next time you hear the call…………
Peter Ranasinghe
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]
Clinical Achievements:
- Continued Mentoring of community Health Care Workers and Village Health Volunteers.
- 336 clinical assessments including Neo Natal and Child Health Checks.
- 3 much needed operations/procedures
- Oral Health education to school students.
- Sexual and reproductive education to grade 8 & 9 students
Highlights of our trip were:
- Seeing the children benefit from the clinics and improve so quickly.
- The Anzac day Dawn Service at Bomana Cemetery
- A very memorable service on Brigade Hill which we shared with another trekking group.
To the clinical crew, Kristin, Barry, Deb, Cait, Georgia and Carolyn the people of PNG needed you and you delivered. I have no idea how to properly thank you all for being part of a very important team.
Thanks for allowing me to witness and be part of such an amazing journey, for letting me guide you all through remote PNG to deliver your skills to the locals who desperately needed your help.
To Stewart Kreltszheim and Jo Bergman, the tireless work from you and previous No Roads 2 Health Expeditions has laid the foundations to make trips like this possible.
To Dan and Bruce, No Roads 2 Education is in good hands and is about to blossom due to your efforts.
If you or someone you know has the skills required to help on an upcoming expedition, please get in touch. The people of PNG really do need you!
I look forward to working with you all again soon.
Until next time you hear the call…………
Peter Ranasinghe
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
[email protected]
