A Progress Report from the

Guyana Adventist Medical Aviation Service

October/November 1997 - Volume II

HEALTH EDUCATION GOES HIGH-TECH: Though the aviation programme regularly provides free medivac services to residents of Guyana's isolated interior, its focus is on disease prevention. To accomplish that objective, one must first find a

Kaikan builds new hangar for plane

medium to transmit the knowledge, and then create a desire for change. To assist in this challenging task, we have turned to technology.

Through the use of a video projector, VCR, and small generator, health education is made easy and attractive. Due to the novelty of the video projections, whose large screen projection looks like a small theater, the entire village usually turns out for the event. Older residents and pre-school children, who frequently do not understand English, are able to grasp the basic ideas by watching the videos. A video on healthcare, featuring local Amerindians speaking in the Akawaio dialect, is under design to reach non-English speakers. We are currently trying to expand our video library. We welcome any information or donated videos on subjects involving basic healthcare, disease, drug and alcohol abuse, and family life.

WELLS TO BE DRILLED FOR PURE WATER: Critically affecting the health of hinterland residents is their source of pure drinking water. For many villages, dry season places an additional stress on their ability to find potable water. One

School dismissed as plane makes historic landing at Chinowieng

patient who last month was flown to Georgetown for chronic malaria, was also diagnosed as having Typhoid Fever which of

course is directly related to a polluted source of water. Two villages have thus far been identified as needing sources of fresh drinking water. These have been selected as locations for the drilling of water wells. Each well, located near the village, will provide residents with a source of clear, pure drinking water, and will thus play a pro-active role in preserving community health.

NEW AIRSTRIP FOR CHINOWIENG: Villagers are grateful to have a nearby aircraft available for emergencies. As communities with airstrips receive regular free medical air support, many without runways are working hard to put one in. Residents of one of our most distant communities, Chinowieng, refer to themselves as the "backdam of the backdams" (or back country of the back countries). They have long suffered the effects of isolation, with medical care days away. After hard work, they completed a new runway by the village last month, and received official approval from the Civil Aviation

Appendicitis patient and husband grateful to be home again in Paruima

Department only days ago. Benefits were immediate. Already they have received a health education visit, and are enthusiastically looking forward to the drilling of a well to serve as a source of fresh drinking water. The airstrip has also served for commercial operators to bring in materials for their new community health center.

KNOWING WHERE TO TURN: Knowing where to turn for immediate emergency medical transportation, the Community Health Worker (CHW) uses the community radio to call Kaikan for the aircraft. Someone is seriously ill and needs immediate medical attention. All the villages hear the call and are aware when the plane leaves Kaikan en route to its destination to medivac the patient. On arrival, the pilot, who is also a Registered Nurse, checks with the CHW to get a patient history. Next he personally checks the patient to assess his/her current physical status in preparation for the flight. Normally the patient is transported to Kamarang for care and further evaluation by the Medic in charge. However, the condition of the

Young boy from Kako needing reconstructive face surgery

patient is the final determinant as to whether the patient is flown to Kamarang or to Georgetown. On this occasion, the CHW reports that the woman has abdominal pains and requests transport to Kamarang. However, on personally checking the patient, the pilot discovers the patient to be in agony, with extreme tenderness to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen and positive rebound pain. Recognizing the acute abdomen as an emergency surgical situation from either appendicitis or ectopic pregnancy, the pilot opts for an immediate flight directly to Georgetown. Accompanied by her husband, the lady is flown to Ogle airport, and is personally taken by the pilot to the emergency room where the condition is reported to the triage nurse who then takes immediate responsibility for the patient. On her discharge from the hospital several weeks later, both the patient and husband are flown free back to their home village of Paruima. Smiles of relief are evident not only on the faces of the returning couple, but on the anxious faces of family and neighbors back home in Paruima. A life saved...mission accomplished.

Having an aircraft based at Kaikan has brought peace of mind to police and military personnel stationed out this far in the interior. They know that whatever medical emergency situation might arise, they will have immediate free transportation available. Soldiers stationed at the Guyanese Defense Force (GDF) military base in Iteringbang, nearly 30 miles north of Kaikan have availed themselves on several occasions of the aircraft's medical services. Two weeks ago, several insistent radio calls came from the officer in charge at Iteringbang to our GDF officer in Kaikan requesting attention by the medical aviation programme. The problem was an apparent outbreak of malaria among the soldiers. Collecting glass slides, the pilot performed a flight into Iteringbang resulting in 19 soldiers having blood smears taken. These were then flown to Kamarang for microscope analysis by the medic in charge. Results will be forwarded by radio once the slide examination is finished. Appropriate medication can then be provided to each soldier.

"My thanks also for the support which you have given to my troops in the area of your air operations." J.G. Singh, Brigadier Chief of Staff

On October 13, Kaikan was honored by the visit of GDF Chief of Staff, Brigadier Joseph Singh, and his senior officers. Specifically requested to be present to discuss the aviation programme with the Brigadier, pilot David Gates was honored to receive some excellent suggestions from the Brigadier and a word of commendation. A kind letter was sent to Mr. Gates soon after the visit, documenting his suggestions and appreciation of the mission of the Guyana Adventist Medical Aviation Service.


AIRPLANE OPENS DOOR TO ADRA DEVELOPMENT: Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), a non-government Organization (NGO) working in over 200 countries worldwide, has taken advantage of the available aircraft to begin development work in the Upper Mazaruni District. Already ADRA has begun the construction of an industrial-technical secondary school in Paruima. All materials for the first two-story, 8-classroom building are on hand, and construction is underway with villagers donating voluntary labor. SIMAP is currently planning to support this self-help project by supplying food to those volunteers. Following the building's completion in early January, there will be groundbreaking ceremonies for an Industrial Arts Complex and a Library. Buildings currently being restored will serve as dormitories for the

Paruima begins construction of "Davis Indian Industrial College"

students. A generator has already been acquired for the school. A visit by two electrical engineers for the purpose of establishing a permanent hydroelectric power source, resulted in much enthusiasm. The location for the plant has been identified, and a civil engineer will be forthcoming.

Other communities will benefit as well from ADRA's development focus on health and education. ADRA/Guyana has accepted 6 other community projects and is currently working on project details and funding. One of our most remote Guyanese communities, Arau, has neither a primary school or community health center. ADRA has accepted both of these projects. Fresh water wells are to be drilled in Kaikan, and Chinowieng. Though not having direct access by plane, the village of Joalla has needs too. Joalla's captain has indicated that they are in need of some kind of industrial training school, especially in the area of woodworking. This project for Joalla has also been accepted by ADRA/Guyana. Project proposals are being forwarded to ADRA/International headquarters for funding. A video documentary recently filmed by professional ADRA/International photographers will assist with funding of the projects.

MERCY FLIGHT SUMMARY: During October and the first part of November, four mercy flights were performed transporting patients to and from Kamarang, mainly for advanced malaria. Four mercy flights were performed transporting patients to and from Georgetown -- one patient with appendicitis, another with suspected amebic abscess and/or gastric ulcer, and one pediatric patient. Spending nearly 100 hours each month in the air can be very tiring. However, the overwhelming appreciation of each village resident for the aviation programme has made the effort well worth it. We thank God for his care and protection during those many hours of flying in this beautiful but rugged mountain territory.

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