DocTours Newsletter February 2016

Hello, Everyone!

During January, I had the pleasure of traveling with a group of medical students on one our of volunteer programs in Nepal. There were challenges (of course) however the students were enthusiastic, energetic, fearless and smart. I have shared my observations below. We also show you some of the good work being done in Cambodia and Fiji.

A day in the life of …. working in a Nepali Hospital

A team of 14 Sydney medical students from Medical Outreachers Australia joined DocTours in Nepal. They spent their first week in one of the hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley.  Here the day kicks-off at 8.30 am with a handover meeting amongst the doctors from the night shift and the heads of departments. Typical conditions presenting overnight included febrile convulsions, pneumonia, UTI’s, labour complications and alcohol poisoning. Occasionally x-ray films were passed around for everyone to review and there was always constructive discussion about how to handle each case.  The doctors were bright and talented however, in some cases, still learning.  The chief administrator of the hospital is a retired Emergency Physician from the US Military.  He spent his career working in six different countries, including the Antarctica, and offers great leadership, fresh ideas and communication skills to the local staff.  Following the morning meeting, our students split into groups of 2-3 and attached themselves to one of the consultants for a ward round.  This was followed by a tea break in the hospital canteen.  The canteen was outdoors and situated on an elevated platform with the most amazing views over the valley.  Over coffee, one of the young doctors explained the amount of work and care involved in cleaning out the deep flesh wound in the groin of one of his patients caused by a water buffalo attack.  Continued here:

Their journey continues in next month’s newsletter.

What’s happening in Cambodia?

One of our awesome volunteer nurses, Cynthia, has been working in Battambang.  Over the past 4 weeks she audited nursing assessments and taught classes in wound care, wound assessment and wound documentation.  She also assisted in teaching the local policemen in basic CPR. There has also been a brush with fame!  Angelina Jolie has been filming in Battambang and Cynthia was able to participate as a medic at the film set.  The movie is called “First They Killed My Father”and is set in the 1960’s.  It is based on a non-fiction book by a Cambodian author who survived the Pol Pot regime and is her personal account of her experiences during the Khmer Rouge years. Buildings were retrospectively refurbished to appear as they were in the sixties with French signs and vintage cars.  Some of the hospital staff are pictured above with Cynthia and Angelina!

Our donation of hospital linen to Fiji

Our Rotary Club arranged for a ton of hospital linen to be donated to the hospitals in Suva and Lautoka, Fiji.

Here is a photo showing the delivery of linen to the staff in Suva.  The linen was transported with the assistance of Fiji Airways!  Thank you!

Also …..

We are rolling out our new name and logo very soon and so here is a sneak peak!

We want everyone to know that we welcome all medical professionals and all medical and healthcare students.  We hope that you like it too!