Mission Log

Medical:
671 patients seen in total
601 adults - 263 men 338 women
70 children - 45 boys 25 girls

Health Education:
3584 participants in 19 locations (6 of them schools)

Dental:
375 patients in total
345 adult - 154 men 191 women
30 children - 14 boys 16 girls

304 adults lost a total of 507 teeth
22 children lost 24 teeth

Glasses:
75 men 103 women provided with 151 reading/distance glasses and 30 sunglasses for eye problems

I’m sure you will agree, this team was very busy on the islands of Pentecost and Maewo. Here is the evidence:

Medical:
562 patients examined in total - 512 adult and 50 children

Health Education:
3262 attendees at 12 locations, four of these were schools, participated in workshops and presentations. Subjects ranged through:
Back strengthening exercises and back care techniques
Dental health and food
Women’s health and breast examinations
Family planning
Breast feeding
Infertility
Domestic violence, rape and incest
DVD’s on alcohol,tobacco, germs, STD’s, general health and hygiene, and HIV/AIDS
How to make a bush toothbrush

When puppet programs about dental care were presented there was no problem getting the school children’s attention. Hopefully they will remember the themes of the programs they enjoyed so much.

Dental:
297 patients examined - 268 adults and 29 children
244 adults had 409 extractions while 21 children (12 years old and under) had 23 extractions

Glasses:
28 men and 38 women were given help with reading and distance vision problems through 58 pairs of glasses, and 11 pairs of sunglasses to help slow down the growth of Pterygium on their eyes.

There were 2 expatriate doctors, a dentist from Vanuatu with his assistant, a registered nurse, and a registered nurse/midwife plus helpers on this team. This is a great result especially considering that a couple of the team members themselves suffered from viral infections some time during the trip. Thank you team for a wonderful effort.

PYM has a team working in PENAMA Province of Vanuatu for the first time. This province includes the islands of Ambae, Pentecost and Maewo. Team 2 for 2007 began work at Pangi Health Centre at the southern end of Pentecost Island on August 7. Since then they have operated several clinics across Pentecost and Maewo Islands.

Pentecost is known for its land divers. These are the original bungy-jumpers. Young men dive head first from tall towers built of sapplings using springy vines wrapped around their ankles to break their fall. Should they misjudge the length of the vines the ground below has been dug up to soften their landing. The jumps are performed only at certain times of the year when the vines are their springiest. Death sometimes results.

Maewo has the reputation of being the wettest island in Vanuatu. It has many waterfalls falling over steep escarpments as a result. It is known as the island of waterfalls.

The team will conclude their tour of duty today at Kerepei Health Centre on Maewo. They will sail back to Luganville over the weekend for their flights home through Vila.