From the Field

August 2010 trip report

A team of 5 flew to Denpasar on August 9. After staying overnight, the team flew to Kupang where the group went to the University for a planning meeting. Two of the team stayed overnight in Kupang for further discussions about setting up a new scabies eradication program whilst the rest of the team hit the road to Kefamenanu.     All along the way, flags for the celebration of Indonesia’s Independence Day on August 17th fluttered in the breeze.

An excellent week had been planned at Kefamenanu Hospital.  The patients had been triaged well and a wide variety of cases brought in for surgery.  49 operations were performed by the team with local doctors being given ample opportunities to refine their surgical skills, expertly supervised by FOHG doctors.   As usual, the elective surgery was punctuated by emergencies including a 50 year old man who required a laparotomy for dead bowel.  By the time the team left on the 17th, he was well on his way to a full recovery - yet another example of the toughness of the West Timorese people.

One highlight of the week was being joined by  the Dean of the Medical Faculty of Nusa Cendana University (UNDANA)  joining us for 2 days to see what learning experiences were available for his medical students as well as doing some operating.   He was amazed and delighted with the 3 tiered teaching program.  Five medical students, 4 young women and 1 young man, from UNDANA, supervised by their Lecturer, had a wonderful week rotating around spending a day with each member of the FOHG team. Our volunteer Recovery Nurse was outstanding in teaching them basic clinical skills and empathy for their patients. The babies born by Caesarean Section were particular favorites.

The young doctors from the Puskesmas (Community Health Centres) also had many learning opportunities which included teaching them dermatology and general medicine in the Outpatient Clinic as well as demonstrating anatomy and basic surgical skills in the Operating Theatres. 

The enthusiasm and inquiring attitudes of the medical students and the continuous presence of the junior doctors over this week indicates the outstanding success of this model of working in partnership with our in-country health care colleagues in a general district hospital- based education program.

Overall, this was a very successful trip with further refinement of the collaboration between the UNDANA Medical Faculty, District General Hospital Kefamenanu, junior medical staff from the Puskesmas and FOHG. 

FOHG trip report to Ende

May 2009
The Island of Flores in Western Indonesia is a tropical paradise, but the maternal and neonatal health (MNH) statistics give no indication of this.  Hence, MNH is a priority program with the Indonesian Department of Health.   

FOHG spent almost a year in the planning of a program which in collaboration with the Ende health authorities, commenced in May 2009. This Train the Trainer Program, held in the capital Ende, is  supported by an AusAID grant. Delivered in bahasa Indonesian, as well as developing teaching skills in 4 local doctors and midwives the program is upgrading their knowledge,  vital obstetric skills and neonatal practice. 

Under the supervision of FOHG these 4 Trainers are transferring their skills to 16 bidan (midwives) selected from puskesmas in the surrounding district.

The enthusiasm from the participants has been rewarding.  They have reported a steep learning curve in skills which will enhance their practice and lessen the dangers of childbirth.  Under the program design, the bidan will provide in service sessions on their new found knowledge to other bidan who were not as fortunate to attend.