On my first adventure as a PA, I will be joining YWAM in Papua New Guinea as a part of the Primary Healthcare Team. The teams set up mobile clinics ashore in the villages. Each day is different! Some days the teams will operate in a local health facility alongside local health workers, and other days the team may set up under a mango tree, or in a church. Supplies are transported in backpacks to ensure the clinic is mobile and easy to set up in a range of locations. The primary health care teams have an emphasis on health education, and mother and child health care as per PNG’s National Health Plan. Teams provide well-baby checks and childhood immunizations for children, and family planning and antenatal care for women. A typical clinic day may also include a range of additional clinical care, including treatment of tropical diseases and respiratory illness, basic wound care, physiotherapy for soft-tissue injuries and therapeutic treatment and advice for individuals with disabilities. These teams also focus heavily on building capacity through peer support and training to strengthen the rural health workforce.
Organizer
Kelsey Telander
Organizer
Carmichael, CA
