This is my second year of doing volunteer work with FAI in Fiji. I originally graduated from Lautoka Nursing School in 1983. And have done a lot of Community & School Health Nursing. And from my past experience with home visits knowing some of the difficulties the community face...........ranging from factors such as financial, lack of jobs, transport, education, cultural issues, accessibility to health care, school, immunization, lack of inititive, knowledge deficit, lack of exercise, poor dietary habbit, kava and smoking and ignorance are all contributing and underlying factors to Poor health or neglecting their own needs.       I have found this work so rewarding and fullfilling and humane, its a very different feeling when you are able to extend  that arm of yours further knowing it will touch someones heart and mean alot. As when we migrate and move on with our lives we forget, the land and the people their smile that we have left behind.

If you are reading this and you are able to extend your hand for support please join us. I'm sure we can all collectively rediscover the humanity we all have..............

Sincere thanks to Dayment who has been doing this work for a while for our people and thank you for giving me this opportunity to able to give my services.

I have just completed 2 weeks of volunteering and as I pack my bags to return home, I wanted to share my thoughts.

It has been such a rewarding experience. As I was leaving my family behind, my friends somewhat puzzled wondered what my drive was to come to Fiji to volunteer. Tonight, I have a clear answer. It came to me during an outreach clinic. A very poor gentleman came in, and as I examined him, we were as different as 2 people could be. But helping someone so different, where you expect absolutely nothing in return, I found his humanity, and as i did that, I found my own. That is the reward. To rediscover your own humanity.

Thank you Damyenti for making all this possible. I hope to return soon. Sonya.

A huge "Thank You!" to Steven and Ram for getting all the medical supplies packed for shipping to Fiji soon...

 

 Sunday lunch in rural Nadi. the quiet relaxing spell after a good curry was broken when Priti ,the clinic nurse, asks "What is a SCC? 
  
This is on Anshu's pap smear result and She won't return my calls". 
  
Anshu had been the last patient to have a Pap smear during the August screening programme. She had been very strongly persuaded to have one done. 
Hers was the only result that was SCC -Squamous Cell Carcinoma- a Positive Pap Smear.the only one out of 150. 
  
She is 28 ,in her second marriage with a 7 year old son. Her husband is a cane cutter and works away from home.Income is very low. She lives nearby so 
Uncle drives to her home and she attends the clinic. Examination confirms she does have a cancer, but at an early stage and one that can be successfully treated. 
  
A week later and Sunday lunch. No time for relaxation. Anshu has not returned for the hospital referral arrangements.many excuses have been given. But her fear was holding her back. 
How else do any of us respond to a diagnosis of Cancer ? 
  
We decided to makean appointment for her and arrange for Virend ,a local driver, to take her to Lautoka hospital,wait for her and bring herhome.He was so very supportive for her 
(so much so that her was mistaken forher husband) and with his help she overcame her initial fear and is going ahead with treatment and will be cured. 
  
This case history is presented as one example of how your contributionsto the Patan Memorial Clinic either via Fiji Aid International or via LinksFiji are used to provide medical services to the poor in Fiji. 
  
It also demonstrates the absolute need for a good follow up plan for any Screening Programme. The Patan Clinic does provide follow up in a caring and compassionate way. 
  
Contrast this story with Leba's sad history. Her positive result sat on a desk for 4 years before she learnt about it and a year later she left her orphans behind. 

 Here are some thoughts on my recent visit. 

firstly the value of a screening programme is only as good as the Follow up . 
I am always mindful of the case of Leba where a positive result was not acted on. 
Anshu's case ,however ,was the highlight of the trip. 
  
she was persuaded by you to have a smear in August--was the last patient. 
The only Positive result. 
She was very reluctant to take Priti's calls and did not attend as requested. 
Collected by Rajend on Sunday and re-examined and   diagnosis confirmed 
Very small cancer on cervix. Treatable and curable. 
Again did not attend next two clinics as requested so that appts for Lautoka could be made for her in her presence. 
So eventually made appt for her, told the date and time and then sent Virend(taxi  driver) to escort her and bring back details on next appt . 
This worked and the day I left she was having her colposcopy. 
  
I have not seen in my practice in Australia a cervical cancer since the early 80s. 
Brought home how effective Papsmears have been. 
early detection at CIN stage can result in a cure. 
Increase in STI 's in other developing countries is being accompanied by increase in cervical cancer. 
the same will happen in Fiji. 
So an emphasis on womens health and papsmears would be  very worthwhile . 

It has been hectic,but have completed all the work. Need to wrap up and get back home. Rita,Bob And Marcia have been here.

Bob saw a lot of young women with Rheumatic arthritis,all poorly managed. One young  woman completely lost her Hip joint from Steroid injections! She cannot walk and there is no care available here for her!

We saw about 112 women for women's health clinic.They all got full exam. Had to make urgent referrals for about 30 patients due to suspicious  cancer. These women never had Pap smears or any kind of medical exams.

Above events are a reminder that the work we do here is sorely needed...Damyenti

 On my recent trip to Fiji to help Damyenti with flood relief work , I came
home with the following impressions:
The overwhelming impression was how grateful everyone was.'Thank you so much
for showing you care' was the immediate response of everyone (patient, taxi
driver,shop assistant,hotel staff.)when they asked why I was in Fiji
As the work could not happen without the donations of the supporters of Fiji
Aid International , I wish to pass on to you all how much you are appreciated.

Second impression was how deeply bedded into the community Fiji Aid has
become.The clinic is truly a "family" clinic with patients returning  like
members of a family and receiving the continuity of care which is the
cornerstone of medicine.This is achieved with modest outlay ,little fanfare, but
gives great value and return for the donations raised.

Grace among true Neighbors.
This is my attempt to convey the community spirit that existed everywhere we set
up an OUTREACH.
Whether on the floor of a church center, the front porch of an Indian household,
or the veranda of a Fijian bure the calmness and patience of everyone was
wonderful to see. It was very contagious.Although I would see 50 + patients, I
never seemed to be hurried. Tired yes .Hassled and Stressed -no.

Gaity on The Lautoka bus.
The Australian press (and others no doubt) are full of dire predictions for the
future of Fiji. They should go to Lautoka like I did one Saturday afternoon..The
laughter and smiling faces and cheerful greetings
amongst the shoppers and teenagers just cruising around was everywhere.And as
the bus left the market place,something started a spontaneous ripple of laughter
throughout the bus.


Uniqueness of Fiji
When I talk to friends,family,acquaintances who have travelled extensively
around the world and ask them what is unique about Fiji , the same answer,every
time,is "the people"
I agree 100% but I also know that they "the people " need so much help in the
struggle against poverty and illness.
That is why I shall be returning frequently to help Fiji Aid International .

Bye for now...David
 

I would like to thank everyone for their support and genorsity, Fiji Aid in Greater Bay Area, Sf , Modesto and Sacramento together with volunteers, Doctors and the corporate support has been greatly successful in the medical care and support to the victims of the flood.

We continue to see a increase in the number of medical cases, need for medical supplies, and more importantly - water and financial support.

I would like to thank you for your continued support and we hope to see you all at the Mothers Day event on May 8th, 2009  -  Meharan Restaurant, in Fremont  to give you all the updates and make this worthy case a worthwhile.

Ajeet Singh

cell 510 754-0043

President

Fiji Aid International  

=========================

Feb 13,2009

So far we have helped about a thousand people.Have gone out to remote areas and areas in nadi and Ba.we are the only medical team helping people.People  have no money to pay for bus fares to go to hospitals and the public health system is over loaded.Have treated many people who are really sick,who otherwise would not have gotten treatment.
It is hot and we have been using peopl'e porches to set up medical clinics.A lot of peple still have no water and are using the river and creeks to wash dishes and clothes.
Am glad we came as we are doing what  is so badly needed.
Damyenti

I just wanted to check on how things are going in Fiji with the team that is helping after the massive floods. If anyone has anything to report, please do so here...Take care...Noel