FOHG Chair’s report for year 2013/14
This year has been one of many challenges and we have witnessed the considerable impacts of issues over which we have no control , the fallout from which has to say the least made for us a most challenging year .
The critical issue was the poor relationship which developed between the Indonesian and the Australian Government over a number of issues including tele tapping, border and refugee issues , and the general election in Indonesia . The disharmony infiltrated all areas of government and included our involvement with embassy staff here in Australia , where it was most difficult to obtain information , visas and contacts for any lines of enquiry .
The other issue which more directly impacted on the RVM was the typhoon in the Philippines , the result of which took a very heavy toll on the nuns and led to the cancellation of all scheduled development programmes, concentrating on the rebuilding of the severe damage and impact on existing buildings and infrastructure. This had a severe impact on the plans we had to support the building of a birthing clinic in Soe, and their decision was to suspend any work on this project
On a more positive note we decided to try and develop some longer term planning into our work and sought out from our friends in West Timor and in particular the Johannes Hospital for their specific needs/ wants/ over a 3 year programme. The hospital found this to be challenging in terms of being asked rather than being told what programmes were important to them
As a result of this meeting we have now developed programmes to upgrade their Department of Accident and Emergency medicine, and a trip has already taken place under the enthusiastic support of Dr Feeny from the Royal Adelaide hospital and his team .As a result of this initial trip a number of positive action plans have been initiated in Johannes and follow up trip for 2015 is now being discussed
In addition to this under the guidance of Dr Marshman it has been agreed to support the establishment of an Oncology Department with the Hospital and a team from Johannes has already been selected to visit Adelaide in early 2015 to attend a 2 week training programme, under the most generous support of the Oncology Department at the Flinders Hospital
A continuation of the further development of the Pathology Department has been agreed to and under the enthusiastic support of Dr Smathi Chong and Dick Turnbull we will continue this programme, which will also include the setting up of a Histology programme in the Hospital
Our maternal and infant mortality programme has continued in Flores and visits have been made during the year to upskill staff and this has been supported by the visit to Australia of a obstetrician and gynaecologist and a senior midwife to train in the use of ultra sound . They have now returned accompanied by a gift from Rotary Club of Kenthurst N SW of a mobile ultra sound machine. This had been followed up by a follow up visit to support its introduction to the end users. It is envisaged that this programme will be enlarged this current year and we are most grateful to the Send Hope not Flowers organisation for their continued support of this programme
The programmes focusing on HIV and infection control has continued under the guidance of Dr Brett Ritchie and his team , and much work is still required in this programme which is planned for 23014/15 which will include the involvement of support of a pharmacist.
We have also been approached by the Polytechnic in Kupang to work with them in providing skills programmes to support their students in various courses, and this is currently being worked upon and will require the liaison with other organisations who may be able to assist in this project.
During the year Dr David O’Rourke one of our obstetricians and gynaecologist s has indicated to the RVM of his preparedness to financially support the building of a birthing centre in Soe . In this respect Fohg has undergone a design of such a building predominantly focused on serving the poor, and currently we are awaiting costs for this construction . It is being led by Fohg committee member Richard Turnbull here in Australia and he has already developed a project team in West Timor in the event of its construction
Admin issues
It has been decided of the need to develop a more informative and interesting web page providing relevant and up dated information and we have engaged a professional to establish this on our behalf .
At the same time we are going through the process of trying to obtain status with the relevant statutory authorities to obtain tax deductible status . Previous experience in this matter has discouraged us from this matter , however it is now our understanding that the process has been simplified.
We have continued to be most generously supported by the “Cheap as Chips” organisation and without them we would be unable to undertake such long term and meaningful projects. In addition to this a number of regular loyal supporters have provided us with financial support and for this we are very appreciative
The most generous and continued support of MRL Accountants as our auditors is acknowledged and appreciated. Without these and other generous benefactors our work would become a lot less meaningful
In summary I would like to acknowledge the long suffering and most loyal members of the FOHG Committee , who have stood by the organisation through its many challenges and continue to show so much enthusiasm for the work and the needs they have identified, in which they believe Fohg can make a meaningful contribution
As a group of volunteers it makes it so much of a pleasure to realise the sacrifices our teams make in an effort to continue with our focus on programmes which support our philosophy of the delivery of “sustainable health through education “
Andrew Love
Chair
Flinders Overseas Health Group Inc.
19th November 2014