It is difficult to summarize in 7 shots what I have witnessed and had the pleasure to document this week for the Fiji Dental & Medical Foundation.
Those pictures should give you an idea of the overall project, and how it concretely works: help the locals with free dental (and medical) treatments, in a temporary built clinic, and try to prevent further issues, most of which could be avoided with a decent dental hygiene.
So, after an early boat ride from Namotu, the dentists and doctors have treated more than 500 patients (!!!), extracted more than 200 teeth, created dozens of new dentures on the spot, and distributed heaps of tooth paste, brushes, and floss, including in the schools.
They've witnessed the increasing skin issues, high blood pressure (more than 50% of adults) and diabetes of the locals, due to high sugar foods and relatively low regime of exercising past a certain age, however young.
Once again, this project has helped the Fijians, even more than what they were able to achieve last year. How ? Because they convinced more doctors, and tried to raise more funds to get more supplies and equipment. Because this time, they also came with doctors. And what about next year ? Well, with your help, they're already thinking of doing the same, in an even better version. Maybe bringing some dermatologists who could help as well, since the skin problems are not a rare commodity…
This assignment was amazing to do, and I would work with those guys again tomorrow. It's been 4 very intense days, extremely busy, for them and for me. I apologize about not being able to shoot an update yesterday. When you depend on boats, to get back ''home'', things don't always pan out as planned.
So if you want to support them, contact [email protected]. ''Support'' does not necessarily mean ''money'', but it can mean ''supplies'', or it can mean ''I'm a dentist or an oral surgeon and I am keen to help'', etc…
Soon flying home…Bitter sweet.
Franck
Recent Comments