A Reflection on Success & the Continuing Challenge
Yesterday at 6.30pm I received a viber instant message from my colleague, Dr Fololoto Leavaii, acting head of medicine, in Samoa. The request was for assistance for a malfunctioning fujinon endoscope, that had been purchased by samoa from CR Kennedy, using a donation of money from another source.
Using the ANZGITA network, I emailed Graham Hines and his department, and within 12 hours Graham had a response direct to Samoa. Using email, I connected Karen Kempin from NZ to the team as well. These two responses from the highest level were directed to the biomed and endoscopy teams at TTM. Graham has also offered to instantly send a loan scope to Samoa, and receive the other back for assessment.
Thus, the disruption to service may only be a few days/week or so.
For a couple of unfortunate patients this will mean the difference between a major operation for an emergency GI bleed rather than endoscopic management.
20 years ago, Dr Katrina Watson from Melbourne helped to commence the endoscopy service in Samoa, with donated endoscopes from St Vincents, and her time. She was able to successfully train up a couple of the local doctors, and leave a few consumables. However, when the scopes broke down, they sat and gathered dust. The patients didn’t get endoscopy treatment, and eventually, when Katrina finished up, the service sat dormant until 2016.
During the last 24 hours, I am reminded of how incredibly supportive ANZGITA and our partners are in this endeavour, and how technology is instantly improving the lives and healthcare of people in Samoa, and once again, how fragile these very services are. Samoa continues to come a long way from the 1990s despite the incredible limitations that Samoa has on healthcare and budget. I am so proud that ANZGITA continues to support and assist and that our Samoan colleagues are continuing to reach out to ANZGITA with welcome arms.
Chris
Using the ANZGITA network, I emailed Graham Hines and his department, and within 12 hours Graham had a response direct to Samoa. Using email, I connected Karen Kempin from NZ to the team as well. These two responses from the highest level were directed to the biomed and endoscopy teams at TTM. Graham has also offered to instantly send a loan scope to Samoa, and receive the other back for assessment.
Thus, the disruption to service may only be a few days/week or so.
For a couple of unfortunate patients this will mean the difference between a major operation for an emergency GI bleed rather than endoscopic management.
20 years ago, Dr Katrina Watson from Melbourne helped to commence the endoscopy service in Samoa, with donated endoscopes from St Vincents, and her time. She was able to successfully train up a couple of the local doctors, and leave a few consumables. However, when the scopes broke down, they sat and gathered dust. The patients didn’t get endoscopy treatment, and eventually, when Katrina finished up, the service sat dormant until 2016.
During the last 24 hours, I am reminded of how incredibly supportive ANZGITA and our partners are in this endeavour, and how technology is instantly improving the lives and healthcare of people in Samoa, and once again, how fragile these very services are. Samoa continues to come a long way from the 1990s despite the incredible limitations that Samoa has on healthcare and budget. I am so proud that ANZGITA continues to support and assist and that our Samoan colleagues are continuing to reach out to ANZGITA with welcome arms.
Chris