In response to a Richter scale of 7.6 magnitude
earthquake in Padang Sumatra on 30th Sept 2009, MTI (Mercy Teams
Int’l) decided to respond to the needs by sending me on
the trip.
As a trained nurse, I naturally responded to my call of duty
in providing medical relief in the disaster zone.
Teaming up with City Care (City Harvest Church) & CRS (Crisis
Relief S’pore), a team of 9 members consisting of a co-coordinator,
1 medical officer, 1 house officer, 3 fourth year medical students,
2 registered nurse and a 3rd year student nurse left for Padang
on the 13th Oct 09-17th Oct 09.
Upon arrival, we were zoomed to Sungai Limau in Pariaman to
start a mobile clinic. We saw 110 patients in 3 hrs. In the
days that follows, we splitted into 2 teams, with one team out
to do mobile clinic and the other team based at the Posko (Clinic
Base) which is located at Toko Hoki Jl Niaga at Padang City.
These are the figures:
| 13th Oct |
: Mobile clinic at Sungai Limau Pariaman:
110 patients. |
| |
: Posko: 187 patients. |
| 14th Oct |
: Mobile clinic at Desa Duku Padang Galo Rimbo Pariaman:
80 patients. |
| |
: Posko: 139 patients. |
| 15th Oct |
: Mobile clinic at Lubuk Alung Pariaman : 106 patients |
| |
: Posko: 187 patients |
| 16th Oct |
: Mobile clinic at Kel.Cengkeh Panggilut Padang: 160
patients. |
| |
: Posko: 180 patients. |
All in all, we saw 1,149 patients in 4 days.
2 weeks after the earthquake, naturally the acute phase is
over. The patients were mainly suffering from Upper Respiratory
Tract Infection (cough, cold, fever), some eye infections
and quite a bit of skin infections from the harsh condition
of living outside of collapse homes. Most men came in with
muscle aches and pains and scratches from clearing debris
and working on their homes. The elderly came in with high
blood pressure from after shock and lack of proper rest.
Normalcy seems to have resume, most shops and vendors are
opened except for the bigger shopping malls. Almost everyone
has gone back to work and school, and those that flee Padang
are streaming back.
Do continue to pray for wisdom and discernment as the leaders
come together to explore possibility of further blessings.
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