Hand Hygiene Happens Here

Hand Hygiene Happens Here ... hmmmm
Sign on one of the Hospital exam room doors.
(they all have the same sign and look like this)

Lepeka and another senior missionary (both nurses) were asked to  do a walk through inspection of the hospital to make recommendations on how they could make some improvements in their cleanliness.  They do have limited resources and are trying to make the most out of what they have.   I have to admit that it is pretty neat that they are seeking input from outsiders as they look to improve.

The Tongan people genuinely want to help one another and healthcare is no exception.  Everyone we work with including Doctors, Nurses, Therapists, etc. have such great customer service attitudes.  They want to help.  It is difficult to compare healthcare with what we are used to in the good ol' U.S. of A. so we make these observations not as a critique but as the opportunities we see here for improvement.

Private hospital room.  We rounded up
the   chairs but one of them was broken. 

We had our busiest medical week as one missionary broke three bones in his foot and one was sick and actually in the Hospital for two days, so we thought we'd take this week to highlight healthcare in Tonga.  We are not trying to run it down but we thought it might be interesting to some to see what their healthcare consists of since so many of our friends back home are healthcare professionals.  From the photos you can tell that they do keep the patient rooms tidy and clean.

The room also had a nice sink that
worked, a soap dispenser but no paper
towels or garbage can.

Lepeka is great at making them feel loved and cared for as she takes care of the blisters, boils, sprains, occasional dog bite (only one so far) and various other maladies like rashes, hay fever, dehydration headaches and diarea dehare diahreahea the runs.  The toilet and shower are located in a community bathroom at the end of the hall.  Before Lepeka discharged the missionary from the hospital, they wanted another blood sample.  The doctor came in to the room to draw the blood.  Lepeka told him in America doctors didn't draw blood.  He smiled and said doctor's draw all the blood and if they didn't do that, what would they do.  Lepeka commented - 'they could sit around the nurses station and talk about their last golf game or next trip around the world'.  He laughed.  Guess he doesn't play golf!

Hospital bill for one day stay (to be
paid prior to discharge). TOP $30.00
(approx. $13.80 USD)

The bill on the left is for one full day in a private room and must be paid in full (cash only) prior to discharge.  Everything is included except the sheets and pillows, food, any drinking water, soap, towels, etc.  (no T.V. or internet).  Because the missionary was not from Tonga, we had a bill.  Healthcare is free for those who are from the Kingdom.  Just so you don't worry, both missionaries are doing great and are well on their way to a full recovery.  It was interesting finding an orthopaedic boot anywhere on the island, but with persistence and inspiration, we finally prevailed.  Plaster casts don't do well in this humidity and fiberglass is well ... there may not actually be a Tongan word for that.

We didn't get much done on the technology side this week as the seriousness of the missionary health issue took front stage but we did manage to get one more site survey completed and I was able to get started on the translation of the training material into Tongan. I also scheduled a formal technology training class for this Saturday morning.  I hope it goes well.

We also had a new missionary couple come in this week.  They were welcomed with open arms as we have not had any other couples arrive since we did in January and we have had 5 couples leave in the past month.  The Oldroyd's arrived safe and sound on Friday.  If you are a senior and feel the prompting of the Holy Ghost to serve a mission, you might consider Tonga as a destination preference on your application.  I can guarantee you will love serving here.  The Tongans are the best this world has to offer!

Viola Hospital in Nuku'alofa

The Kingdom of Tonga consists of 176 islands (31 inhabited) approx. 108,000.  Viola Hospital is located on the outskirts of Nuku'alofa on the main island (Tongatapu) and serves most of the population.  There are 3 community hospitals located on other islands and a few health clinics.  We try to avoid taking missionaries to the hospital as we really seem to be able to take care of most of the ailments with a little bit of nursing care, the local physician clinic ran by Dr. Latu (we really like him and he treats the missionaries very well) and some personal "mom" medicine".

When we're not doing technology training or meetinghouse surveys, I am mostly Lepeka's chauffeur, but I have wrapped a sprained ankle and given several Priesthood blessings.  I also help inspect their MQ's for cleanliness and reinforce her instructions if I sense someone needs additional coercing.  In addition to that she has made me the keeper of the lollipop.  We have a box in the car and pass them out as we meet the missionaries while we're out and about.  We also carry vai (water) in our cooler so we have that if needed.  I think the lollipops are actually what cures most of the ailments but don't tell Lepeka.

Pretty typical to see chairs (from your local church) set-up in the back of a truck, or
if they are youth, they typically just stand and cram as many people on as possible.
I didn't get a photo but I did see a tractor towing a truck with a flat bed similar to
the one above with school kids in the back.  I guess the truck must not have been
running and they needed to get the kids to school.

See if you can locate the 3 broken bones.  We have to take photos of any X-rays
to send them to NZ to be viewed by the Area Medical Authority.  We typically
just use the PC for back lighting and take the photo with our iPhone (it's the
best we have).  I think I may have been able to convince one of the techs to
upload the image to a USB next time.  We'll see how that goes but I did get the
eyebrows up signal so I'm hoping.

L-R, Elder Malimali (Tonga),  Elder Mafi (Seattle), Elder Faleao (Lehi, UT)
At our home for breakfast on Saturday morning.  They wanted grilled cheese
and ham sandwiches and a couple of fried eggs, orange juice, chips and salsa and
guacamole, ice cream and cookies.  At least all of the food groups were covered.
We love getting to know the missionaries, it is on of the highlights of our mission.

Geckos feasting on the bugs that are attracted to the light just outside the local
pizza shop across the street from Liahona High School.  As you can see,
they are well fed.