SOLOMON Islands 2013 report Dear Friends This year I went on my usual medical humanitarian mission to the Island of Guadalcanal. It is one of 900 islands forming the Solomon Archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, lying over twenty thousand kilometres from Italy: practically on the other side of the world. I was accompanied by an all-Italian staff, namely Paola Robbio (pharmacist) and Andrea Rossi (nurse), together with the local nurse Adrian Manikera. The local health authorities provided us with two expert skippers since the Pacific Coast is dangerous and highly unpredictable… We contributed by covering the cost of the fuel. We visited each of the various villages along the ocean coastline which is often hit by tsunamis, cyclones and typhoons. Fortunately, we had none of these to contend with, just the odd thunderstorm… Our visit took us to the villages of Avuavu, Madakacho, Kuma, Viso and Tangarare. Generally speaking, we examined and treated hundreds of patients with ESSENTIAL MEDICINES, brought over from Italy, and distributed material for DRESSINGS, DEVICES FOR MEASURING BLOOD PRESSURE AND DIABETES, EYEGLASSES, walking sticks for the blind, and DIAGNOSTIC TESTS FOR MALARIA that do not require a microscope. IN ADDITION TO TREATING PATIENTS, I CONTINUED TO DISTRIBUTE MY HEALTH EDUCATION BOOK FREE OF CHARGE. USING CARTOON DRAWINGS, THE BOOK OUTLINES THE MOST FREQUENT DISEASES, EXPLAINS HOW TO PREVENT THEM AND DESCRIBES HOW TO USE THE ISLAND’S MEDICINAL PLANTS. In the village of Avuavu, we visited a secondary school, donating SPORTS AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL, furniture for the NEW LIBRARY and FIRST AID MEDICINES. WE VISITED A NEW DISPENSARY DONATED BY A JAPANESE BENEFACTOR, WHICH HAD JUST BEEN INAUGURATED IN BARINAGO. UNFORTUNATELY, HOWEVER, THIS WONDERFUL BUILDING WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY SO WE MADE AN INITIAL DONATION OF 20 CHAIRS AND 2 DESKS, SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND AN ELECTRONIC BLOOD PRESSURE MEASURING DEVICE. Then in MADAKACHO and KUMA we visited the sick and in VISO, we distributed clothing and toys for the children. We also provided for the PARTIAL RENOVATION of the guest house where we were staying. Lastly, in TANGARARE we visited the sick and then RETURNED TO HONIARA. In the capital Honiara, we visited students of Don Bosco boarding school and the INMATES OF TETERE PRISON, DONATING SPORTS MATERIALS. A DONATION WAS ALSO MADE TO THE NEARBY HOSPITAL OF TETERE TO IMPROVE THE WATER SYSTEM. Lastly we visited Selwin College, where we donated sports materials. UNFORTUNATELY, OUR JOY AT THE SUCCESS OF THE EXPEDITION WAS MARRED BY TRAGEDY. AFTER RETURNING TO HIS VILLAGE, ONE OF OUR TWO SKIPPERS, ANTHONY BABAU, WAS ATTACKED BY A CROCODILE AND DISAPPEARED WHILE DIVING IN THE RIVER WE HAD CROSSED JUST THE DAY BEFORE. AFTER A 2-DAY SEARCH ONLY A LEG WAS FOUND. HE LEAVES A WIFE AND 4 CHILDREN, ONE OF WHOM IS ADOPTED. Once again I would like to thank friends and supporters who follow these missions from near and afar, through their invaluable support and practical help. Aldo Lo Curto voluntary itinerant doctor
Posted on: Sun, 24 Nov 2013 14:10:48 +0000
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