Medical Outreach
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Finding the art within the science of body, mind and life.
breathe
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‘Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better’
— Maya Angelou
Not all places and people have been created equal, which is exactly why I am passionate about doing what I can to support neighbouring communities who experience significant health disadvantages. I, in combination with Namotu Island, will be hosting a yearly outreach service to the village of Nabila (and surrounding local villages) in Fiji.
Our next medical outreach will be held over 5-12 May 2024
Attached are some links from our most recent medical outreach in 2023:
https://www.namotuislandfiji.com/blog/nabila-medical-outreach/
https://www.bangalowherald.com.au/index.php/2023/08/02/local-medics-in-fiji/
It all began with a fateful incident in May 2022, when I was working at Namotu Island as a yoga teacher & medic.
A staff member had just fainted in the kitchen and re-fractured their collarbone, resulting in an urgent transfer to Nadi Hospital for further assessment & care.
The day rose and fell into night, deeming us unable to safely transfer back across the shallow reef towards Namotu Island. A makeshift room & generous hospitality was provided by Ulai & his wife, Nina, in the mainland village of Nabila, where many of Namotu’s staff reside.
Despite their relative comfort and close community, I began to realise the sheer contrast in living conditions between Namotu Island (& first world countries) and Nabila.
Medicine was scarce. A yearly outreach sponsored by the nearby island of Tavarua had been placed on hold for 3 years over the COVID-19 pandemic and no one had been to the village since.
An American Foundation donated basic pharmaceuticals to the village where Moli, the district nurse, would allocate and distribute.
There was a lack of faith in the Fijian medical system and poor health literacy amongst the community. End stage disease with likely catastrophic ramifications would be the only prompt to go to hospital.
Houses were built from recycled aluminium. Kids were running around with festering school sores & scabies. Elderly people were plagued by obesity, diabetes & heart disease.
I asked Nina how I could contribute to Nabila and her simple answer was to provide extra medical care & health education to the community.
She was the catalyst and I was the fuel. The idea of running a medical outreach for these beautiful humans subsequently birthed and took flight.
How you can help:
Are you a medical or allied health professional?
If you are equally as passionate and would love take part in our yearly outreach program, please contact me at: hello@loveleena.com.au
Would you like to donate?
All proceeds will go towards bringing across extra medication, equipment & supplies for the village of Nabila.
Any excess funds will be used to sponsor our volunteers.
Click here to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/namotu-island-medical-outreach