HEALTH FOR CHINA JUNE 2008 UPDATE

CEREBRAL PALSY WORK Dr Lynne (PRC) and the other nursing staff, are working together on developing programs for the CP work. They have been putting a lot of time into both the research and the practical application of their learning. The end result is that the children are showing great progress. We have two additional children this month – this work is growing as word gets around. We feel sure this is only the beginning. It not only assists the children but with the right training helps the parents as well.

Thank You Doctor Kim. Dr Kim regularly comes and pays us medical visits from Australia. We want to say a big thank you to Dr Kim for her ongoing support of our work in May this year. In particular her support for the children, training and inoculation programs. To all those in Australia who support this work through Dr Kim – thank you.

CALEB AND STEVE HAVE SOME WATER THERAPY (AND A LOT OF FUN AT THE SAME TIME) CEREBRAL PALSY WORK

CALEB, HIS MUM, AND NURSE SUNNY WORK TOGETHER ON A MUSCLE THERAPY PROGRAM. CALEB ALSO SOMETIMES USES THESE TIMES TO PRACTISE HIS ENGLISH. STEVE SITS AND WAITS FOR SOME FOOD AFTER HAVING “WALKED” FROM THE OTHER THERAPY ROOM.

ADMISSIONS FOR JUNE 2008 Daniel (Hope Haven) came in for some medical care on Although smiling here, he was in fact feeling a little poorly, and was often in tears. We think his lovely personality was shining through in spite of the way he was feeling.

Many babies end up on oxygen here. Q.L. was admitted to intensive care on for a few days with mild pneumonia type symptoms.

Dr Sam works out dosages. China still operates in Units which makes careful conversion essential.

This lovely newborn premature. baby W.S.R came in for an early checkup with Dr Julie.

YY’S HEALTH HAS BEEN IMPROVING STEADILY AND IT WAS AGREED THAT SHE COULD GO HOME. WE VISIT HER TO FOLLOW UP ANY HEALTH NEEDS BUT SHE IS STILL MAKING GOOD PROGRESS. WE ARE ALL VERY THANKFUL AT THIS GOOD NEWS. STAFF GAVE HER A GREAT SENDOFF.

YY AT HOME. WHILE YY REMAINS UNDER OUR CARE, WE CONTINUE TO VISIT HER, CHECK HER HEALTH, AND SEE WHAT OTHER NEEDS SHE AND HER FAMILY MIGHT HAVE. NURSE JANE (PRC) CHECKS YY’S BLOOD PRESSURE. YY IS OBVIOUSLY SO HAPPY TO SEE US. HER CONSTANT SMILES SAY IT ALL, REALLY.

Management Training Day STAFF CONSIDER ELEMENTS OF LEADERSHIP AND WHAT QUALITIES MAKE A GOOD LEADER – AND THEY ARE NOT ALWAYS WHAT ONE WOULD EXPECT!

NURSE JANE AND DR MAY WATCH, AS NURSE SUNNY NEGOTIATES WALKING THE PLANKS BY FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS WHILE BLINDFOLDED. BOTH A TEST OF GIVING, HEARING AND CARRYING OUT INSTRUCTIONS.

LURED BY THE PROMISE OF A TOTALLY-WESTERN BREAKFAST, DR’S SAM AND JULIE AND THEIR TWO BOYS ENJOYED FOOD, FUN AND GAMES, AT A TOTALLY WESTERN RESTAURANT IN CENTRAL XI’AN. HERE THE BOYS ARE LEARNING HOW TO CREATE CHINESE CHARACTERS WHILE DR JULIE SAVOURS HER EGGS BENEDICT.

Rural Health Training Healthcare staff planning for their next Rural Health Training Day at Xianyang. Our medical staff had one return visit to Xianyang Rural Hospital since the earthquake hit in May to give a lecture on Heart Attack, prevention, detection, and intervention. Their skills were tested however when the power went off, and one hour later the batteries in their laptop also ran out of oomph! Ah well, back to manual methods. Expect the unexpected here!

Disaster Work in Hanzhong ON OUR ADMINISTRATION EXCECUTIVE SHERRY (PRC) AND TWO PSYCHOLOGISTS WENT TO HANZHONG TO BRING A 3 DAY TRAINING PROGRAM FOR OUR STAFF THERE EXPERIENCING TRAUMA AFTER THE QUAKES – WHICH ARE STILL BEING FELT IN THE AREA. DR MAY FAREWELLS THE TEAM FROM LEFT TO RIGHT – DR GEORGE HU AND DOCTOR WEI SONG WITH SHERRY AS TEAM LEADER.

Evacuation Planning for Healthcare Should there be a serious earthquake we have discussed ways and means of getting out of the building and how to take some adult patients down the 3 flights of stairs. This method of evacuation was considered useful as a last resort. It works but is cumbersome and slow. X.L. (PRC) agreed to be the “guinea pig” for this trial. We even have a knotted rope in case our stairs disappear. (this happened in some places in Sichuan).

Laurie, (New Zealand), our International Communications Coordinator is celebrating the approval of a further 3 months visa. This will enable him to work on at Healthcare until August 2008.

CURRENT NEEDS An additional local - (Chinese) Nurse is required, to assist our work. Continuation of funds to enable us to provide for our ongoing Rural Health Training Program and free medical clinics. Funding for the Cerebral Palsy program is needed. Ongoing needs for Overseas medical professionals to join us throughout the year. Currently a vacancy for a GP or Paediatrician exists for July Resuscitation models for training (two adult models would be even better)