120 Health professionals and volunteers from Fiji, New Zealand and Australia participated in a service mission in serving needy patients in remote areas of Fiji. This was a unique mission where the first camp was held on the main island of Viti Levu, after which most of the team undertook a night-time journey across the ocean by ferry to Vanua Levu, where they continued their service for five more days.
A total of 2535 patients were treated in a comprehensive mobile hospital type of set up, bringing smiles and joy for communities that were served. Health professional teams included Medical Doctors from diverse specialties including Paediatrics, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Cardiology, Psychiatry, Geriatrics and Stroke, Orthopaedics, Paediatric Surgery, Neurosurgery, Gastroenterology and Dentistry. The team also comprised of Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Optometry, Nursing Team and Lab attendants.
Testing facilities included blood tests, diabetes screening, eye check-ups, dental checkups, women’s health screening including breast cancer and pap smear check-ups, ECG, ECHO, ultrasound and endoscopy facilities. Doctors’ treatments offered primary and secondary prevention evaluation and advice including providing free medications, psychiatric evaluation and management, surgery of lumps and bumps.
The Camps were preceded by half a day of interactive teaching sessions face to face and online by specialists which were attended by more than 80 students and trainee interns at UPSM, Lautoka. In addition, the team provided clinical teaching to 13 medical students and 5 nursing students each from UPSM and Sangam over the 5 days of the mission in Vanua Levu.
The communities served in Fiji greatly appreciated the help rendered. This also was a very fulfilling and awe-inspiring activity for many of the new participating health professional volunteers. The whole team showed a great deal of patience, love, unity and resilience during difficult times of long travels and sleep deprived nights.
SUMMARY OF PATIENT REGISTRATION
Nanuku School RakiRaki 269
Seaqaqa 490
Qalitu Fijian School 430
Tabia School 439
Naikavaki Bua 305
Vunika 602
Total 2535
Reflections:
“I found that quality time spent with each patient was the most fulfilling and made the most impact, and made the most difference in being able to educate and inform the patient and obtain their understanding of their medical conditions.” – feedback by a specialist
“The smiles and joy seen on patients faces spoke a thousand words on their gratitude of receiving free medical care in the remote Fijian villages”
“Loved how approachable and friendly each and every member of the team was—from kitchen staff to clinical team. Most importantly, there was no hierarchy; everyone was treated with great respect and dignity despite coming from diverse backgrounds”
“Visited the free Sai Medicare Camp at Tambia College, Labasa, this afternoon. My sincere appreciation for the professional approach, consultation, treatment, and advice given” – feedback by patient
“Doctors should serve the poor with a spirit of sacrifice. There is no greater service than this. As man is the embodiment of God, it is his primary duty to help the destitute and the forlorn.”
Sri Sathya Sai Baba, 5 Jul 2003.
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