Bairo Pite Clinic

It’s strange to think I have only been away a week - seems like I have been here a long time.  The Bairo Pite Clinic is the only place locals can get any healthcare for free.  At the Dili National Hospital they have to pay - $5 for a blood test, $12 for radiology etc.  The Clinic runs on $15,000 a month - for everything.  They have a Maternity Ward, General Ward and 2 TB Wards, plus an emergency room (so small you can just walk around the bed).  Then they run medical clinics where everyone just waits and moves along the queue, which goes right around one room, and snakes outside as well.  And they all just patiently wait.  

The General Ward has eight beds in it with just enough room for a chair between.  All mixed ages, sex.  There is one young woman with suspected bone cancer - they have done a biopsy and sent  the specimen through an Aussie traveller to Darwin for analysis.  This is through someone, who knew someone, who knew someone etc. etc.

Lack of medication is a huge issue.  For one patient they only had two tablets left for her treatment - when they runs out, so does the treatment.  If anyone wants to send any medication - it is so needed by the clinic. 

There are a couple of current patients with mental health issues and no means of treatment - no medication and no experience.  I spend a couple of hours a day with one of them and also need to spend some time with the other one on a daily basis.  

Staff at the clinic were so pleased to receive the donations from PVCH staff and family.  The bandages etc. all went into the emergency room and everything else went into the Pharmacy area.  Gloves are precious........

I spend yesterday walking around Dili - I think I will stay out of the sun today - my poor nose isn't going to recover ever.....  I keep putting sunscreen on, but I keep sweating if off.

 

I walked to the Xanana Gusmao Museum, Art Gallery and Reading Room - closed for renovations.  Went to the Bishops Residence - Home of Bishop Carlos Belo - was a sanctuary for those seeking refuge from the military during occupation - also closed for renovations.  Bishop Carlos Belo received a Nobel Peace Prize.  But near there - the Virgin Mary Statue - I could see that - a place for open air masses.  It is always a beautiful walk along the water front and was much quieter (being Saturday). 

All going well here.  Now have to try and find someone in Australia to do a gratis Cochlear Implant and try and get some help for two kids with leukaemia.  That will be my work today - the internet at the clinic is so slow it took all afternoon to open (and only one tab succeeded).