Historic Vessel Vega hosts mobile health clinic on Nila Island
The southwestern islands between Tanimbar and Timor are some of the remotest and least accessible in all Indonesia. Nila is a small volcanic island just east of Damer. In 1978, the government resettled the entire population to Seram and declared the island uninhabited. But many of the islanders returned to Nila in 1999 to escape the troubles in Seram.
During our visit last year we recognised the need for a medical check-up for the islanders. There has been no health post or doctor on the island since 1978. Dr Ruth Indira who joined Vega in Jakarta for this year’s journey held a mobile clinic to provide free medical treatment on Sunday after the church service. She also provided training for the island health worker and midwife.
-
- We arrived during low tide at the village of Lakotani
-
- Due to volcanic activity the beach sand can be steaming hot.
-
- One old gas bottle acts as bell when hit with a hammer to summon the congregation
-
- The attendance is big, people came from all over the island to join in the service and visit the free mobile clinic organised by Vegas crew.
-
- After the service we distributed toothbrushes to the children with a short explanitation how to brush teeth correctly. Additionaly each kid recieved a pencil case for motivation.
-
- People waiting for Dr. Ruth's clinic to begin She made an heroic effort that day treating over 70 cases and teaching at the same time.
-
- The pastor assisted to fill the patient cards, a lot of the older villagers are illiterate.
-
- The examination is rather public
-
- Volunteer health worker Pak Hecki assists Dr. Ruth Indira by taking the bloodpressure of patients.
-
- Pak Job's feet are swollen and infected. Dr. Ruth made various tests to check if there is a underlying ailment which may have caused the infection then prescribed the proper medication.
-
- Ruth performed some minor operations under rather basic conditions, good that we brought all the medications and equipment.
-
- Meggi was responsible for the pharmacy, lucky she could read Dr. Ruth's writing
-
- Pak Hecki cleaning a boys headwound which was healing badly.
-
- Ibu Wilma and Arno act as midwife and needle man (local slang for health worker) in the village of Wontai. Neither of them has official training. They were happy with the knowledge gained from Dr. Ruth's training session.
-
- Dr Ruth explains the items from a health worker kit brought by the Historical Vessel Vega.
-
- The medical books in bahasa indonesia are very popular. Many thanks to JOTUN Indonesia for the sponsorship.
-
- Ruth explains to midwife Mama Rosa the items of the updated midwife kit, last year she recieved only the basic version
-
- Solar panel for charging the batteries of the heartbeat monitors and lights
-
- On this Sunday we had 70 patients coming for the mobile clinic. It was a long day for everybody. Above is the boat from Wontai on the South of Nila.
Subscribe to our Newsletter for monthly updates
