Caring for Kopi

Imagine you are the only health worker in a 15 mile radius and you have an emergency. Someone is in a life threatening state and needs urgent treatment; who do you call? For Margaret, a health care worker in the village of Kopi, in the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea (PNG), this is a regular situation where she single handedly plays the role of paramedic, doctor, nurse, and transport coordinator. She recently had to assist with a snakebite emergency, when no anti-venom was available to her, and the person had to get to Kikori Hospital, an hour boat ride away. Fortunately, the patient survived, but the weight of responsibility Margaret carries, being the sole person to attend to these situations, can take its toll.
Margaret was delighted when YWAM Medical Ships – Australia (YWAM MSA) requested to set up a Primary Health Care (PHC) clinic in Kopi for the day to provide her with support and training. She stated, “I felt so relieved and happy that I had the opportunity to work alongside other health care professionals”. Working with them allowed her to learn and use those skills to best serve her community.
The PHC team arrived the very next day loaded with educational resources, immunisations, medications, and a range of healthcare professionals keen to serve the needs of the people living in Kopi, and to assist Margaret as much as possible. They set up the clinic inside the aid post Margaret worked in. Margaret spent the day shadowing the doctors and nurses, learning different techniques, such as using a Doppler scanner for the first time for an antenatal check-up of babies’ hearts. Dr Nairi, a volunteer with the PHC team, was able to learn a technique from Margaret as well; using a fetal scope to hear the heart. She commented, “It was great to share information and skills with one another!”
Margaret enjoyed having YWAM Medical Ships in her village. “I have learnt a lot today,” she said. She is hopeful that the Ship may return and continue the relationship started with the community of Kopi. Margaret does so much for her community. She is a strong woman who truly cares for the individual. She is a role model for all and it is a privilege to develop a partnership with her and others like her. Now, Margaret can know she is not on her own.