A Progress Report from the

Guyana Adventist Medical Aviation Service

Olinka's Body Arrives in Paruima

AFTER TERRIBLE STRUGGLE, YOUNG PARUIMA GIRL LAID TO REST: In December of 1997, little 3-year-old Olinka Joseph acquired a bleeding disorder following a bee sting. She was flown to Georgetown where she was admitted to the Public Hospital. Responding to Olinka's immediate need for fresh blood, volunteers from the Davis Memorial Hospital and the Guyana Conference of SDA, as well as other friends and family made donations to the blood bank. On receiving the transfusion, Olinka's condition would improve, but only temporarily. She continued receiving fresh blood transfusions for nearly two months with no permanent change in conditions. Physicians considered several possible diagnoses, but were not able to clearly identify the disease or cure. Eventually, at the parents request, Olinka was transferred to Davis Memorial Hospital where she continued receiving transfusions until some visiting Tropical Medicine specialists could take a look at her. On Tuesday the 24th of February, her parents arrived at the hospital at 7:30 pm to spend a few moments with their daughter. As they arrived, little Olinka, who had by now received nearly 20 units of fresh blood, spoke a few words and then passed on to her rest. Arriving a few minutes latter, I had expected to pray with and encourage the parents, but found them already grieving the loss of their only daughter.

Two very ill patients are brought in hammocks to the plane for medivac from Phillippi to Kamarang Hospital

After several hours spent in consolation, arrangements were made to transport Mr. & Mrs. Joseph back to Paruima on Friday where the family and church friends were waiting for the burial service. Good Bye little Olinka. Sleep in Jesus until the resurrection morning when the "the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (KJV)

PHILIPPI RECEIVES MEDIVAC FLIGHTS FOR THREE PATIENTS: Due to the extremely low water level in the rivers, travel by canoe is almost impossible, requiring a 4-day walk for Philippi patients requiring medical attention in Kamarang. This rapidly-growing community faces many difficulties due to isolation, including lack of basic supplies as well as access to advanced health care. Philippi's Captain Mendasen, grateful to the Minister of Health for

Phillipi Snakebite Victim and Mother Received by CHW Rita Hunter in Kamarang

his support of the Guyana Adventist Medical Aviation Service, was joined by many of Philippi's residents in expressing their thanks for the free service offered to their isolated village. When asked if they wanted to receive health and family education via video projector, the community was enthusiastic in giving their consent. Just before I started the plane engine a lady wearing a big smile came running to the plane, asking "Do you remember me? I am the patient you flew out to Kamarang last year. Now I am well again. Thank you so much!" You are welcome my dear. Your smile paid the bill in full. That is what GAMAS is all about.

Kako Boy to Receive Treatment in Trinidad

UPDATE ON YOUNG KAKO BOY: Prof. Eric Thomson, Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon and Director of the School of Dentistry of the University of the West Indies in Trinidad has offered to perform free analysis and possible surgery on our young 4-year-old patient from Kako. Transportation from Kako to Georgetown and back will be provided by GAMAS. The Minister of Health, Dr. Jeffrey, happy to hear about this opportunity stated that the Ministry would be happy to cover transportation costs to and from Trinidad. Details are currently being gathered for Dr. Thomson in Trinidad. When ready, all arrangements will be coordinated between the Ministries of Health of both countries. Thank you Dr. Jeffrey and Dr. Thomson for your assistance in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for this young Kako boy.

Captain Anselmo welcomes back Enrique whose leg was broken in a farming accident

DR. WESTFORD, REGION #7 CMO, COORDINATES MEDIVAC FLIGHT FOR PARUIMA APPENDICITIS PATIENT: One morning I received a radio message from Kamarang that Bartica had advised that a possible appendicitis patient from Paruima needed an immediate medivac to Georgetown for surgery. I called Bartica and got confirmation from Dr. Westford that arrangements were being made for an ambulance to meet the flight at Ogle. On arrival at Paruima I examined the patient and found her to have extreme tenderness in the lower right quadrant of her abdomen, with positive rebound pain (usually indicative of appendicitis). Being the second time I had transported this patient to Georgetown for the same complaint, I wrote a note to the Emergency Room Physician, asking that if the patient turned out to be positive for appendicitis, that an appendectomy be seriously considered. Just treating the patient with antibiotics to "cool down" the appendix could prove fatal to the patient in the future should medivac services not be immediately available. I accompanied the patient to the Public Hospital, through Triage, and got her immediate medical attention. I left her in the care of the attending physician who gratefully

Jawalla man with severe face laceration flown to Georgetown for treatment

was able to arrange an immediate appendectomy. The patient has now had her sutures removed and will soon be transported back home to Paruima.

ADRA AND SIMAP CONTINUE SUPPORT OF THE DAVIS INDIAN INDUSTRIAL COLLEGE: Working throughout December and January, the residents of Paruima have almost finished the construction of the first 8-classroom building. Housing for the first 25-30 dormitory students is in place, and application forms are ready. Five college students (two couples from Guadaloupe, and one Guyanese young man) are in Paruima serving as the college's first teachers. All five are serving on a volunteer, no remuneration status. Communities sending students to the school will be assisting with the provision of food for the teachers. Studying on a non-cash basis will require students to be on a daily work/study program on the farm and industry which is expected to provide necessary food and supplemental cash flows. Construction funds for materials will be provided by ADRA. Transportation of supplies and materials

Volunteer teachers have begun testing prospective Paruima students

will come from GAMAS. Paruima and upper Mazaruni residents will provide free labor, and SIMAP will assist with continued self-help food supplies. A new chainsaw, electric circular saw and planer, and 5 KW generator were recently donated by visitors to help expedite the building process. We thank God for his continued provision as this faith project continues to move forward. Groundbreaking for the new library is scheduled for this coming May. ADRA/Guyana is currently working with the Canadian government, represented by ADRA/Canada to acquire the needed funds to drill the badly needed water wells in Chinowieng, Kaikan, and Arau.

ANTI-MALARIA TEAM VISITS KAIKAN/ARAU: Two representatives of the Ministry of Health's Malaria Center came to Kaikan to serve for an extended period of 4 weeks. Mr. Leon Layne and Ms. Rena Marks spent many long days checking hundreds of blood smears and treating Kaikan residents who had suffered a severe outbreak of Malaria during December- February. During their stay, I was able to fly Leon to Arau where he spent one day collecting blood smears. He was then flown back with the slides to have Rena read them. Medications for the infected individuals were then flown back to the village. At

Leon Layne (Malaria Specialist) makes blood slides in Arau

the same time, Rena made a boat trip down river to visit other isolated communities and miners. The Kaikan CHW, Florencia Peters, was flown into Arau a week later to re-collect smears and distribute additional medications. Thank you Leon and Rena for kind assistance. Additional preventive measures were made available from Janice and Gordon Forte of the Amerindian Research Unit of the University of Guyana, who gave the necessary instructions and donated the Karate poison sufficient to treat the mosquito nets of Kaikan residents.

MERCY FLIGHT SUMMARY: The plane was down for maintenance the months of December and January. Medical services were initiated on February 13 on approval from the CAD following the recommendation from the Minister of Health. During the last two weeks of February, four mercy flights were performed into Kamarang from Paruima, Philippi, and Kaikan. Two mercy flights were flown into Georgetown, one from Paruima and the other from Kamarang. Diagnoses included a complicated pregnancy, appendicitis, facial lacerations, snake bite, and advanced malaria. The two parents of the deceased Paruima girl were flown home and the casket was transported to Paruima for burial. In these short weeks of service, GAMAS has already played a vital role in saving life as well as caring for the bereaved. Appreciation coming from community residents has been overwhelming. Can there be any better payment?

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