We arrived in Port Moresby ready for our No Roads to Health Central Track trip. A couple of the trekkers had been on a Health trip, but the rest of us were newbies to this. An excited group of 8 trekkers, were ready to go and make a difference on the Kokoda Track.
Our first eye-opener was our clinic at the 6 Mile Clinic in Port Moresby. By the time we got there at 8.30am, there was a line of 40 plus people waiting to attend the clinic. There were babies right through to elderly people waiting for treatment.
A hectic 3 or 4 hours saw our medical team observe the clinic’s nurses triage patients, deliver immunisations to children, observe eye assessments and observe dispensing of medications. It was a very hands on clinic and it gave our team a chance to experience a medical environment in Port Moresby first hand.
Next day we were up the Helicopter and on our way to the village of Lamagi, which is right in the middle of the Kokoda Track. We were treated to an incredible view of the Owen Stanley Ranges from the air. To see the landing spot for the Helicopter at Lamagi, brought a lump to the throat. Are we really going to land on that spot!! Yes, we did and we were landed and getting out of the chopper in no time at all.
The whole village came out to watch us arrive and we were greeted by the locals with some beautiful singing. The team ran a clinic at Lamagi and saw lots of babies for immunisations. The team were able to work alongside the Community and Village health workers to provide healthcare to this village. The purpose of this trip is to help educate the Community and Village Health workers, so they can provide quality care to those in need.
From here, we walked across to the village of Kagi. This is one of the biggest villages along the Kokoda Track and one where most of our Porter team live. Another successful clinic was held here, and even though the heavens opened up for a couple of hours, our team were able to teach the Health workers about conducting Health assessments of villagers, plus got to see a couple of new born babies.
Each day, we moved along the Kokoda Track to a nearby village. From Kagi is was off to Naduri, then Efogi and then Menari. This trip was a great way for the trekkers to work in the Health clinics, but also experience walking some sections of the Kokoda Track.
Our first eye-opener was our clinic at the 6 Mile Clinic in Port Moresby. By the time we got there at 8.30am, there was a line of 40 plus people waiting to attend the clinic. There were babies right through to elderly people waiting for treatment.
A hectic 3 or 4 hours saw our medical team observe the clinic’s nurses triage patients, deliver immunisations to children, observe eye assessments and observe dispensing of medications. It was a very hands on clinic and it gave our team a chance to experience a medical environment in Port Moresby first hand.
Next day we were up the Helicopter and on our way to the village of Lamagi, which is right in the middle of the Kokoda Track. We were treated to an incredible view of the Owen Stanley Ranges from the air. To see the landing spot for the Helicopter at Lamagi, brought a lump to the throat. Are we really going to land on that spot!! Yes, we did and we were landed and getting out of the chopper in no time at all.
The whole village came out to watch us arrive and we were greeted by the locals with some beautiful singing. The team ran a clinic at Lamagi and saw lots of babies for immunisations. The team were able to work alongside the Community and Village health workers to provide healthcare to this village. The purpose of this trip is to help educate the Community and Village Health workers, so they can provide quality care to those in need.
From here, we walked across to the village of Kagi. This is one of the biggest villages along the Kokoda Track and one where most of our Porter team live. Another successful clinic was held here, and even though the heavens opened up for a couple of hours, our team were able to teach the Health workers about conducting Health assessments of villagers, plus got to see a couple of new born babies.
Each day, we moved along the Kokoda Track to a nearby village. From Kagi is was off to Naduri, then Efogi and then Menari. This trip was a great way for the trekkers to work in the Health clinics, but also experience walking some sections of the Kokoda Track.
At Efogi, our team ran an education session with the Health Care workers and taught them how to do CPR. This was fantastic to watch and all of the workers involved were engaged and enjoyed being part of this experience.
From Efogi, we headed up Brigade Hill. I will admit that as a Guide, it was really nice to tackle this hill first thing in a morning. Usually we tackle Brigade Hill after 3 or 4 hours of walking up other hills and usually in the full mid morning sun. It was much more pleasant first thing in the morning.
We held a service at Brigade Hill and remembered family members of our trekkers who had fought in the Kokoda Campaign. From there it was down the hill to Menari, with a quick stop for a swim in the river.
Our final clinic was in Menari, which was well attended and kept our team busy for quite a few hours. They worked alongside the Health Workers with Health Assessments, Immunisations, checks on new born babies, and any presentations with health concerns. Tomorrow it was back to Port Moresby by Helicopter in the morning, followed by a trip to Port Moresby General Hospital.
The team were given a guided tour of the hospital and were able to look at the Intensive Care and Maternity wards.
All up it was a fantastic experience for all involved. To see the confidence and knowledge of the Village and Community health care workers grow throughout the week was amazing. It demonstrated that the work that No Roads to Health are doing along the Track is working and is appreciated by all involved.
Ruth Rampling
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
ruth@noroads.com.au
health@noroads.com.au
From Efogi, we headed up Brigade Hill. I will admit that as a Guide, it was really nice to tackle this hill first thing in a morning. Usually we tackle Brigade Hill after 3 or 4 hours of walking up other hills and usually in the full mid morning sun. It was much more pleasant first thing in the morning.
We held a service at Brigade Hill and remembered family members of our trekkers who had fought in the Kokoda Campaign. From there it was down the hill to Menari, with a quick stop for a swim in the river.
Our final clinic was in Menari, which was well attended and kept our team busy for quite a few hours. They worked alongside the Health Workers with Health Assessments, Immunisations, checks on new born babies, and any presentations with health concerns. Tomorrow it was back to Port Moresby by Helicopter in the morning, followed by a trip to Port Moresby General Hospital.
The team were given a guided tour of the hospital and were able to look at the Intensive Care and Maternity wards.
All up it was a fantastic experience for all involved. To see the confidence and knowledge of the Village and Community health care workers grow throughout the week was amazing. It demonstrated that the work that No Roads to Health are doing along the Track is working and is appreciated by all involved.
Ruth Rampling
Expedition Guide
No Roads Expeditions
ruth@noroads.com.au
health@noroads.com.au