This week I had the opportunity to go to a village clinic.
The clinic consists of a Health Center(UHC) and the SIL Clinic. The UHC side is government funded. The government supplies medications and pays
health care workers who are Papua New Guineans. The SIL side is for ex-pats or
missionaries that live on center who are not Papua New Guineans. The two sides
work together in several aspects. The SIL
doctors see patients who are referred to them or answer any questions the
workers may have about a situation. The
xray machine, EKG and lab tests are available for a fee. I have been able to observe on the UHC side
but my use of the language, Tok Pisen, is limited. So I enjoy observing and
trying to assist to learn more.
UHC is responsible to go out to nine different communities
in the area. We take the ambulance with supplies. The visits are basically for the children. We weigh, immunize, and treat illnesses and
wounds. Each person has their own health care book with their medical records
that they are responsible to bring with them. The workers fill out the book
with their assessment and treatment plan. They go out Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Thursday for three weeks a month and repeat it every month February through
November. Sometimes the rains prevent
visits because the roads are too wet.
 |
| The health care worker is in the driver's seat talking to the child's mother |
 |
| Baby scale |
 |
| Sometimes they set up in this spot instead of staying in the ambulance. |
 |
| View from the village clinic site |
 |
| Waiting and watching |
  |
| Smiles for a camera |
 |
| Administering treatments from the back of the ambulance |
 |
| They like to watch |
 |
| The road |
 |
| Beautiful landscape |
