Fiji Power 2016 Day 9 : 03-10-2016

Today was an early start for a busy day. We got up at around 6am, had some breakfast then quickly got ready and started to pack up the last of the medical supplies that had to be distributed. When we were finished packing up the supplies we made our way to the Navua District Hospital. Dr Anna who is charge of the Seru Namosi region met us on arrival. Meeting with Dr Anna really opened our eyes to the conditions that doctors and nurses have to deal with. In the Navua District they only have four doctors, these four doctors work outrageous hours. They weren’t the only factors; Dr Anna also talked about how they have to improvise when they don’t have enough supplies to treat a patient, which isn’t unusual. After the meeting we drove to the bank of the river and waited around for the boat that the Ministry of Health organised. 

When the boats came we separated so there was five people on each boat and then took off up the river. Riding up the river was peaceful but long, we were going against the current so it took two hours. Our first stop was at Namuamua’s Medical centre. We stopped there not only go donate the last of our medical supplies but also see if we would be able to install a solar system next year. After we had finished at Namuamua we travelled further up the river to a village called Wainikai. David is very welcome in this village so we were able to show up unannounced. When we arrived we met up with Tuks, David’s friend. After we went to Tuks house we met Mari and their children, Tuks then took us for a walk in the jungle. In the jungle we swung on vines, visited some pigs, and admired the large amounts of bamboo and the waterfall behind their house. 

When we got back from our walk we were off straight away because we wanted to have passed the rapids before it got too dark. On the way back everyone got completely soaked and we were all cold but it very much enjoyable.

Tomorrow we will be visiting some Medical Centers that have been damaged by a cyclone and someone will accompany us from the Ministry of Health, they were also the ones to organise our transport. Phew, off to bed.