NEWS 22 MAY 2008

Our Clinics & mobile Medics

Nargis Action Group (NAG) is currently running 6 clinics in the disaster-hit Pyapon region. Each of these has one permanent nurse from our organization, supplementing a number of doctors. They function to provide us with regular up-to-date feedback while performing their responsibilities.

We also have 2 mobile medical teams, consisting of 2 volunteer doctors each, navigating the Pyapon township; they use our clinics as a base. These roaming medics are sent into the villages to administer first aid, tetanus vaccinations and minor operations. If somebody is critically ill they can be swiftly brought to one of our clinics by our own powerboat (sponsored by a company) and from there, if necessary, on to a government hospital. Our mobile teams cover up to 150 villages, although we are only closely linked with 50 in the Pyapon township.

We have 5 volunteer doctors already busy working in the Pyapon district, with another two to go out with our next team. Their activities are a huge undertaking for such a small force, especially as NAG is the only organization with mobile medical teams. The high running costs – 4,300,000 Kyats over 2 weeks – are another weighty problem. This would be further exasperated if there was to be an outbreak of new disease. We are looking to collaborate with other organizations in order to share resources, responsibilities and costs, while we still urgently need donations.

Patients in our Pyapon clinics

NEWS 21 MAY 2008

Slippers, Flip flops, Thongs

Nargis Action Group (NAG) has ordered 6000 pairs of slippers (flip flops) at a cost of approximately 9000US$. This move has come in response to a widespread plea for further protection against disease.

The cost of 1 dozen slippers is 18.000 Kyats. So in total we need to pay 9,000,000 Kyats for the slippers.

Many villagers in the Phyarpon township must walk through rotting streets, remote trails and ravaged tracks to reach one of our 6 clinics in the disaster area. By the time they arrive, they need treatment for their injured feet, along with the necessary vaccinations and medicine. Our nurses explained this problem, which is increasing their pressure load at a critical phase, but NAG was able to respond. 1000 pairs of slippers have so far been sent to our office in Phyarpon to distribute to some of our villages.

Although NAG has spent aid funds in other areas – on food, medicine and shelter to name a few – no money has thus far been allocated to providing footwear. It is clearly an important issue to resolve, but more funds are needed.

This progress was achieved as a result of Mrs. Sandrina Rempfler Yu’s 5000US$ donation, which we received today.

Sandrina has been fundraising in Switzerland, shrewdly sending money in cash to avoid high bank transfer fees.