home

Dr Sneh's diary: Bear essentials

As the expedition moves on to the next medical outpost, Dr Sneh Khemka is impressed with the work the group is achieving - and happy that he brought a supply of teddy bears for the local children.

 

My goodness it’s hot. We are without a break, without respite and without relief. We toil and sweat, and when we’re finished we sweat some more. The humidity, combined with temperatures close to 40 degrees centigrade and exposure to the midday sun, has resulted in sunstroke for some of the expedition members and one mild case of delirium.

Today was the big hike so we could move our medical circus to the second village on the route. Nine hours and 18 kilometres of uphill and down, navigating a treacherous path that had been made in the time of the Vietnam war to hide the local rebels from peering US helicopters. But it wasn’t the distance that got us – it was the heavy loads on backs already beaten by the unflinchingly hot sun.

But we’ve arrived. And now we’re awaiting electricity so that we can go and set up the makeshift clinic, stock up the pharmacy and get sorted for our early start tomorrow at 6am.

The locals have told us that we have brought with us much excitement and anticipation. Being in a very secluded part of the hills (very limited vehicular access and poverty line living) means that medical attention has not been even seen by 60% of the population. It also means that we are lined up for a busy day tomorrow.

We’re expecting to see worse diseases than our previous location because of the nature of the area, and so I steel myself to deal with anything and everything. A children’s dental flouride programme will be running alongside us, and here there will be a small delegation helping to build amenities for the local school.

Fans, T-shirts and teddy bears

I find myself taking great pride and delight in this trip. My colleagues and co-workers are truly coming together as a team. We enjoy our food together, we share a few laughs, but most of all we co-ordinate the onslaught of patients with diplomacy, efficiency and empathy. Rather than complaining at the heat, we make do with whatever fans we can find and carry on regardless.

In my colleagues I see a group of true humanitarians. They are selfless and find great purpose and succour in helping those less fortunate. They do this through no motivation other than altruism, and it is inspiring to see.

Bupa is making its presence known. Well supplied with teddy bears, T-shirts, bags, fans and other miscellany from the marketing team back home, I’ve made a very welcome splash. The kids, Vietnamese staff and team members all love the gifts, and as ethically and environmentally-responsibly as possible they have seen wide distribution. I especially love the bears – a great way of distracting the distraught child with the nasty sore that needs attention, the belly that needs examination, or the laceration that needs suturing.

Creaking floorboards of slumbering team members are over my head. I’m sitting under the longhouse we are sleeping in tonight, and as the cicadas hum their nocturnal rhythm, I breathe in village air and breathe out a gentle note of quiet contentment.

Next steps