Caring for Patients in Remote Siau
Volunteers were able to help treat roughly 2000 people in Siau in just four days as part of the Pacific Partnership medical team.
As the medical mission sites in Indonesia began to wrap up, two of the Project HOPE volunteers remembered their time on Siau.
Dr. Samuel Hunt, a retired family practice doctor from Mason City, Iowa and Angela Clegg, a family nurse practitioner from Oceanside, California were able to help treat roughly 2000 people in Siau in just four days as part of the Pacific Partnership medical team.
“We saw a wide range of illnesses form the simple cold to people with tuberculosis,” says Dr. Hunt. “The people were very appreciative for what we were able to do for them, and it was very gratifying to be here.”
One of the most amazing things that Dr. Hunt recalled was seeing the lines of people every morning waiting to be seen. “It felt like we were really making a difference on the island of Siau,” he says. “It was great, good feelings of love, and a real exchange of information with the locals.”
Clegg added that the medical team saw many patients with more advanced stages of common diseases that are prevalent in the United States.
“For many of the patients, this was their first experience with healthcare. I hope it was a positive experience,” she says. “With more of a focus on preventative care, we can help prevent these diseases from progressing to advance stages and decrease the rate of morbidity.”
Clegg also learned from the local medical professionals in Siau. “It was very interesting to work with the Indonesian doctors as it was a great educational experience for us as well.”