Ol Sik Picanini
19 June 2012 | Tanna Island, Tafea Province, Vanuatu
John and Shauna
How many tubes of eye ointment for purulent conjunctivitis do you need to take ashore on a village visit? Well, it depends on how many kids have the infection. In this case, a truckload or two would have made a start. Really sad to see kids of anything from a year to six or seven, and even some of their adult family, with very nasty disease. We did a bit of group instruction on eye - and general - hygiene, and got some treatment organised. Then another parent brought along a cousin or whatnot with the same, and so on. Anyhow, it is very gratifying to see how, with a little medicine and good general care, they pull up well - clinically clearing almost literally overnight. Mariam, with whom Shauna gets along very well, and who is the daughter of the former chief Ronnie has had another dental abscess, as last time we were here. This is beyond our reach in terms of definitive care but some antibiotics have had her feeling a lot better within two days, which is good. Lots more infectious disease around, and you can't do as much as is needed, but it's good to help a bit. The good news is that the area has gotten funding for a full-time nurse, who will be in the dispensary every morning. The bad news is that they still won't have enough medicines, but it's going to be a vast improvement. We're moving on to Efate later in the week and will have internet there so will post some pics. Cheers from us.