Just returned from the second disaster relief mission to Ulithi nad Fais. We administered 300 doses of tetanus (Tdap) vaccine and I completed another epidemiologic health surveillance study. So far, so good. The people of the outer islands are resourceful and resilient. There was a remarkable difference in just one week. Many more pathways are cleared, with the help of Yapese volunteers from the Baptist church who have the much needed chainsaws. Some men now have gloves which will help reduce the risk of hand injuries with some of this clean-up of old rusty tin roofs. Every island has a plan on how to dispose of the debris.
Now they still need help with food, water, and of course building materials. For the most part, the spirits are good, especially for the men. I attribute that to the team effort and the release of stress from the hard physical labor involved with recovery.
Medical problems are at this point routine, but supplies are lacking in some dispensaries. Of the five dispensaries, all but one has a health assistant, and there is just one doctor in the outer islands. I met with all of them and we reviewed the medical problems that they are treating. In addition, I also walked around the villages and interviewed as many people as I could to get a "snapshot" of the health of the people.
We travelled on a much bigger ship this time and I was able to get a cabin and shared it with Melissa who was part of the immunization team. She is a really nice person and hopes to come to the United States someday to finish her education and work. I wonder if she would like Boston?
There is a possibility that I will travel one more time - the ship is to go to all of the main outer isalnds and I was supposed to focus on education including breast health awareness and childhood school examinations. I am hoping to still go - it is a three week trip. The good news is that I do not get sea sick.
PMA is still flying frequently to Ulithi and Fais - Ulithi more often as they have a larger population and a greater need, and it is closer toYap. I hope they fly a little more frequently to Fais as they have a need to replenish the medications in the pharmacy.
Here are a few pictures I hope you will enjoy.
Asor:
Sunrise and a very early wake up call. We were boarding the smaller motor boats just after sunrise.
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Solar panel and flippers.
Falalop. Delivery of a new red truck. Logsitics are fascinating. They also delivered a generator to desalinize the water. There is real progress being made.
This is a float for heavy equipment. Notice the lines tied to the SUVs to pull it to shore.
Here is Melissa climbing up the ladder. We usually skip the first step going up because sometimes your foot can get caught between the rung and the boat. It was a real challenge when there were a lot of waves to climb up and get down.
A new generator. See the float to get it from the ship to the shore. A little boy is standing in back of the float.
Our ship, Hapilmohol 1.
This is Em and Tevi playing games and singing school songs for me at the place where the immunizations were administered. We are on a porch amidst the rubble and rusty tin.
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Spot did well during the typhoon. He is looking good.
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More pictures tomorrow of Mogmog, Fedrai and Fais.
Now they still need help with food, water, and of course building materials. For the most part, the spirits are good, especially for the men. I attribute that to the team effort and the release of stress from the hard physical labor involved with recovery.
Medical problems are at this point routine, but supplies are lacking in some dispensaries. Of the five dispensaries, all but one has a health assistant, and there is just one doctor in the outer islands. I met with all of them and we reviewed the medical problems that they are treating. In addition, I also walked around the villages and interviewed as many people as I could to get a "snapshot" of the health of the people.
We travelled on a much bigger ship this time and I was able to get a cabin and shared it with Melissa who was part of the immunization team. She is a really nice person and hopes to come to the United States someday to finish her education and work. I wonder if she would like Boston?
There is a possibility that I will travel one more time - the ship is to go to all of the main outer isalnds and I was supposed to focus on education including breast health awareness and childhood school examinations. I am hoping to still go - it is a three week trip. The good news is that I do not get sea sick.
PMA is still flying frequently to Ulithi and Fais - Ulithi more often as they have a larger population and a greater need, and it is closer toYap. I hope they fly a little more frequently to Fais as they have a need to replenish the medications in the pharmacy.
Here are a few pictures I hope you will enjoy.
Asor:
Sunrise and a very early wake up call. We were boarding the smaller motor boats just after sunrise.
Solar panel and flippers.
Falalop. Delivery of a new red truck. Logsitics are fascinating. They also delivered a generator to desalinize the water. There is real progress being made.
This is a float for heavy equipment. Notice the lines tied to the SUVs to pull it to shore.
Here is Melissa climbing up the ladder. We usually skip the first step going up because sometimes your foot can get caught between the rung and the boat. It was a real challenge when there were a lot of waves to climb up and get down.
A new generator. See the float to get it from the ship to the shore. A little boy is standing in back of the float.
Our ship, Hapilmohol 1.
This is Em and Tevi playing games and singing school songs for me at the place where the immunizations were administered. We are on a porch amidst the rubble and rusty tin.
Spot did well during the typhoon. He is looking good.
More pictures tomorrow of Mogmog, Fedrai and Fais.
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