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No Roads Health Coastal Expedition
Our Team: Al Grasby - No Roads Expedition Guide Sue Grasby - No Roads Health Clinical Team Leader Kirsty Sullivan - No Roads Health Clinical Team Kristen Ferguson - No Roads Health Clinical Team Anne Marie Cook - Cabrini Health Nurse Bianca DiSciascio - Cabrini Health Nurse Monica Wallace - Cabrini Health Nurse |
The “Magnificent Seven” set off on our journey early on Monday morning from Melbourne. Three flights and an adventurous drive along the Popondetta – Buna track has us settled into our Buna Guesthouse before dark.
Tuesday morning and the team is greeted and briefed by Rodney and Colin, the local Village Health Care volunteers. The busy clinic runs through until the early afternoon and 74 locals are treated for a number of different ailments. After a well-earned lunch and swim, we visited the Buna battlefield memorial and paid our respects to our WWII heroes – an emotional experience for all.
Wednesday morning and we undertook a health check update for Edward, a local boy who had life changing surgery in 2015 as part of the Children’s First Foundation programme. We also assessed and completed applications for CFF approval for two local girls – Samantha and Ilona. Our village tour included a presentation of educational gifts to the Principal, and joining in with the local church groups for some singing and dancing. Back to Popondetta and we make room for a mother and her extremely dehydrated 9 month old baby in our 4 x 4 to take her to hospital. We tour the Popondetta Hospital Paediatric Ward – a confronting and highly emotional experience.
We complete a CFF health check update for Koko. A short flight to Tufi and a boat transfer to Komea Beach has us tucked away in bed at the guest houses.
Thursday morning and its back to work at the Tufi Health Clinic with Sister Bona, Nixon, James, Alfie and Harold. Torrential rain made it difficult for some locals to paddle to the clinic and the number of patients seen was down to 25. We spend time educating the health workers, sorting and packing the medical supplies and drugs for our village clinics ahead. Boat transfer to Baga for a village tour, swim and rest.
Friday morning and the girls are joined by Sister Bona, Nixon, and Harold for a very busy clinic with 44 people treated including the dispensing of prescription glasses from the previous No Roads Health trips. We enjoy a fun filled rendition of the Hokey Pokey Dance with the village children (a highlight), before our boat transfer to Tainabuna Village. Our afternoon clinic attends to 26 patients followed by a presentation of education supplies to the local elementary school teacher. Boat transfer to Garewa for a swim before dinner and a “pop up” clinic in the dark for 6 late arriving locals. A very sick boy is in need of urgent penicillin with word sent back to Tufi.
Saturday morning and the Tufi boat arrives with Fiona and Amanda from No Roads Expeditions operations, as well as the penicillin. Patient attended to and we transfer to Jebo. We trek up to the village of Orotoaba and attend to 33 patients before walking back to Jebo for an afternoon clinic treating 38 patients.
Sunday morning and we conduct our second clinic at Jebo, attending to a further 57 patients. Fi and Amanda are now very much in the thick of it supporting the nurses.
Saturday morning and the Tufi boat arrives with Fiona and Amanda from No Roads Expeditions operations, as well as the penicillin. Patient attended to and we transfer to Jebo. We trek up to the village of Orotoaba and attend to 33 patients before walking back to Jebo for an afternoon clinic treating 38 patients.
Sunday morning and we conduct our second clinic at Jebo, attending to a further 57 patients. Fi and Amanda are now very much in the thick of it supporting the nurses.
Boat transfers via Tufi has us on land and we complete our hardest trek up to Sofoa Village. A warm welcome by locals in traditional dress with drumming and singing is a spectacular and emotional experience.
A very busy clinic attending to 50 patients including administering an emergency drip to a very sick 45 year old lady completes our village clinics. Return trek and boat ride to Tufi where we enjoy some creature comforts and have our final dinner with presentation of achievement certificates.
Monday morning – ANZAC Day – Lest we Forget. The girls are summoned to assess a sick boy. 4 year old Shanejeff is critically ill with suspected Nephritic Syndrome and requires urgent hospital treatment. Fi liaises with PNG Air and an emergency seat for Shanejeff and his father Joe is secured for No Roads Health.
We land at Port Moresby and No Roads Operations Manager, Terrence is waiting and Shanejeff is rushed to hospital. The doctor confirms his condition as Polyserositis Respiratory Distress and he is admitted. The team generously donates money for Joe’s accommodation and living expenses whilst he stays in Port Moresby for the next two weeks.
We land at Port Moresby and No Roads Operations Manager, Terrence is waiting and Shanejeff is rushed to hospital. The doctor confirms his condition as Polyserositis Respiratory Distress and he is admitted. The team generously donates money for Joe’s accommodation and living expenses whilst he stays in Port Moresby for the next two weeks.
Another positive outcome and an incredibly successful trip for the No Roads Health team of “Aussie Angels” giving their time and skills to our less fortunate foreign neighbours. An amazing experience for the girls working outside of their comfort zones in challenging weather and tough conditions.
Remote volunteer health service rocks!!!
Al Grasby
Expedition Guides
No Roads Expedition
[email protected]
Remote volunteer health service rocks!!!
Al Grasby
Expedition Guides
No Roads Expedition
[email protected]
