2006-05-22
2:57 p.m.
Update from Yogyakarta 2
Salutations again from volcanoland!
The team has been very busy since we arrived. We�re deployed for 2 half-day clinics almost every day (with the exception of Saturday which was only 1 half-day clinic). Basically the clinics are much the same � we go to a local area, set up our registration counter and pharmacy, and we�re in business. Our nurses act as triage (take BP and pulse at registration) and serve as pharmacists (packing medication).
Yesterday we saw a total of 70 patients at Jumoyo. About an hour before closing time (which was scheduled to be at 1pm), the PMI (Indonesian Red Cross) Coordinating Doctor called to ask if we would mind going to another location after lunch as the doctor there had to leave early. The doctor with us agreed, and we saw no reason to object. So after lunch we went on to Wanajati. There the drama unfolded.
Wanajati is a new IDPC which started because IDPC Gulon was overcrowded. They shifted 139 of the IDPs from Gulon to Wanajati. When we got there, we were given this small open space under a zinc roof to set up. It wasn�t a conducive environment for the ops, but we were told there were only 2 patients so we agreed to use the space.
However, once word had got out that the PMI-SRC team had arrived, more and more people came out to see the doctor. The small space became really overcrowded, and to compound the mess, it started storming. We had to back the van almost to the wooden pole supporting the zinc roof just so our pharmacists (Dawn and Ali) could prepare and dispense medication after the doctor�s consultation. Eventually when the numbers became too big for the small space, we decided that we needed to put our foot down. We closed the clinic after registering 16 people. Of course we explained to the doctor and the local in-charge that it wasn�t that we didn�t want to serve the people, but that the environment was really unsuitable for the clinic. If they wanted us to stay they would have to find us a better place to set up. The local in-charge and the doctor were very understanding. In fact, the former was rather apologetic because he had told us there were only 2 patients, but we ended up serving more.
Yesterday certainly showed how fluid the situation on the ground is at such missions, really. You just have to adapt and make instant decisions on the ground. The team leader has the onerous task of playing the role of the PR person, liaison officer, and, not the least of all, objective decision maker. Fortunately for me, I have Dawn to rely on. Imagine the only non-medical person on the team being the OIC? Anyway, I digress.
The cases we saw used up almost all our creams yesterday. I tell you this just so you know that different areas seem to require different types of medication, and different doctors also prescribe different medications (doctors have preferences on medication prescription too!) for the same complaints.
Today we�re at SD Gulon (incidentally, SD stands for primary school and SMP stands for secondary or junior high school). Half the area is used for the IDPC, while the normal school activities function in the remaining half of the area.
I managed to get quite a few video clips today! One was of Dawn giving an IM (Intra-Mascular = jab in the buttocks) injection to a pregnant lady, another was of Nancy and Nicole changing a foot dressing, and a third of Nicole cleaning a wound for a small boy.
It�s significant because up to yesterday we never did pack any dressing equipment and supplies in our deployment box. Yesterday in Jumoyo we had a boy who cut himself while playing with a knife, and we realized we were not equipped for dressing wounds, so when we got back we decided to pack some dressing supplies to bring along. Seems that it was an excellent move as we had so many dressings to do today!
Speaking of today�s deployment, the doctor who�s supposed to come with us (Dr Yuni) couldn�t come as she was having morning sickness. We went to pick up a nurse practitioner from Wanajati so he could come with us today. This guy seems fond of prescribing injections, hence the video of Dawn jabbing someone�s backside. =p Actually it was the PMI nurse who was supposed to do it, but I asked permission for Dawn to do it just so I could video it. Thank goodness everyone concerned agreed. =)
I�ve also requested that Amran (our liaison officer-cum-team leader of the mission; note: mission team leader is different from medical team leader) arrange for us to visit areas nearer to the volcano so that there is a higher chance of me capturing some stills or even videos of the mountain spewing ash. We�ll have to see how it goes (a lot of things are wait-and-see here).
The team is occupied every day so far, and we feel that PMI has been very forthcoming, answering whatever queries we have, despite most of us not being able to speak their language. A couple of us have fallen ill and recovered. Generally we just need to drink more water everyday.
Haven�t had the opportunity to do much photo taking of the mountain yet. Firstly I don�t wish to be seen as a disaster tourist, and secondly the team has been busy, and thirdly, it�s been either too cloudy / hazy or too wet.
Alright I think that�s about it for now. Will update again when I can. Take care all!