HELPING HANDS HEALTH EDUCATION

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Richard Currie, MD. PGY-3, Division of International Health, Department of Family Medicine. University of British Columbia.

He volunteered at Vi Thanh Hospital, Vi Tan and Hoa Luu clinics for three weeks in February 2006. He shares his experience as follows:

Southern Vietnam is a land of remarkable beauty – the rural countryside is lined with shimmering green rice fields, luscious jungles, and majestic beachscapes.  What I remember most fondly from my 6 weeks in Hau Giang province however is not the stunning landscape, but the remarkable people who live there.  At every turn a friendly face, a welcoming smile, an enthusiastic invitation to become a part of the community.  Despite the impoverished living conditions, the constant threat of economic insecurity, and the limited access to basic health care, the Vietnamese share a remarkable passion for life and a tremendous community spirit.  To experience this wonderfully vibrant part of rural Vietnam – a place so far from the traditional tourist circuit – and to be so welcomed by its people is a rare privilege I will not soon forget!

"Despite the impoverished living conditions, the constant threat of economic insecurity, and the limited access to basic health care, the Vietnamese share a remarkable passion for life and a tremendous community spirit."

"..........friendliness doesn’t end at the conclusion of the workday either – prepare for fishing trips, soccer tournaments, social dinners and more karaoke than you ever imagined."

The streets of Vi Thanh come alive at 6am, and by 7am work is in full swing at the regional hospital.  Experiences will vary by interest and ability, but there is ample opportunity for the dedicated clinician to become immersed in any of a number of departments at the hospital, including the ICU, emergency ward, pediatrics, surgery and obstetrics.  Fluency in Vietnamese is a requirement for meaningful interaction with most of the patients, but it seems there is always a keen medical student just around the corner eager to translate for the promise of friendship, learning, and the opportunity to practice English.  The supplies at the hospital are limited:  imagine an ICU without ventilators or monitors, a pediatrics ward with three patients (and their families!) sharing each bed, and surgery performed by handheld flashlight due to the inconsistency of the electrical generator.  However, the skilled staffs are well educated, imaginative and remarkably resourceful.  Prepare to teach… and also to be taught!  Most of the clinic staffs are very eager to share their extensive knowledge, to learn about western practice, and to improve their English.  And that friendliness doesn’t end at the conclusion of the workday either – prepare for fishing trips, soccer tournaments, social dinners and more karaoke than you ever imagined!

"..........the poverty is noticeably greater, and the need for medical help more acute.........."

The surrounding rural clinics – reached via motorcycle down windy jungle paths – are equally memorable (and don’t worry about driving that motorcycle – there are plenty of eager volunteers to take you!).  Here, the poverty is noticeably greater, and the need for medical help more acute.  Sadly, this is also where the resources and supplies are most limited.  Rural clinics, run exclusively by a handful of dedicated, overworked nurses, are in desperate need of assistance.  Little is in place to help at the moment, but clearly there is tremendous potential for Helping Hands to become increasingly involved with each new set of volunteers.

"The memories and the friendships will last a lifetime!"

My time in Hau Giang was a very rewarding experience.  It was a unique opportunity to live, work, and share in the lives of a remote and remarkable community, and to make a small but needed contribution to their overall health.  The memories and the friendships will last a lifetime!

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