…touched by what they see here
A good number of visiting health experts have been sent here already under ROC/Taiwan and Solomon Islands bilateral cooperation, the latest are a new leader for the Taiwan health Centre and two young doctors.
The new leader for the Taiwan Health Center (THC) at the National Referral Hospital is Alice Hui Yu Hsu who was in the Solomon Islands since Jan 2016 to succeed the former leader Sophie Wang.
Alice Hsu is a lecturer to Taiwan Kaohsiung Medical University as well as a senior nurse with decade experiences.
She will help to implement bilateral cooperated medical and health programs and projects between the Government of Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of Solomon Islands.
ROC (Taiwan) Government established Taiwan Health Centre here since 2007 to implementing those annual programs including: critical care and infection control, children parasite prevention, community residents health promotion, diabetic care capability building, nutrition in life cycle program, assess the operation and the maintenance of the ROC funding Dengue fever laboratory, mobile medical team, oral hygiene survey and dental care program, and bilateral health collaboration etc,.
Two other young medical doctors have been serving in the country in the past three months and will soon leave.
Dr. Steven Chun-Kang Liao and Peter I-Hung Lin came to provide services in the center for three months from March to June 2016.
Together with Alice Hsu, they have provided clinical services and hold health awareness campaign in Honiara and Guadalcanal Province.
Hundreds of citizens and students have benefitted from their services.
Dr. Liao and Dr. Lin both graduated from one of the top medical schools, National Taiwan University (NTU). Dr. Lin has finished the clinical observation in the hospitals belonging to the University of Michigan and Harvard University in USA. Dr. Liao did it too in the hospital belonging to the University of California, San Diego.
He also once served in Malawi, the land locked country in Africa. With these medical education and internship experiences in those top-tier medical centers, they feel enthusiastic and energetic to share their knowledge with Solomon people and serve for the islanders in need.
The two young men expressed pleasure in serving in the Solomon Islands saying it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives.
“It is very different here. There are a lot of challenges and people here are very courageous in facing challenges especially on health issues.
“Though the material condition here is not up to the best standards, Solomon Islanders lead their life in a big smile.” Dr. Chun-Kang Liao said.
He said the greatest challenge to practice here is to help sick people mostly in a limited setting.
“Sometimes when you plan to refer a patient, you are in a tug-of-war between one basic lab test and half day of trek for your patient.
“However, you know every difficulty and long trips to remote clinics are worthwhile once you see the relieved look and genuine gratitude from your patients.
“While it is heartwarming, it is a challenge people endure that needs our help.”
Dr. I-Hung Lin said that this is his first time to provide medical aid in the Solomon Islands.
“It’s my honour to have the chance to provide medical service here. There are so many clinics which only have nurses but no doctors, so those places really need our helps.
“In my opinion, it’s really meaningful to provide medical service and help to people who really need our help in the environment which is lacking proper medical resources.
“The people here are very friendly, kind and enthusiastic. I love people here so much, and willing to help them happily.
“Those experiences of providing free medical service also broaden my mind and learning a lot.
“It is truly a give and take for me, but the challenges face by people here has really got me thinking about returning to help people here in say 5 to 10 years time.
“I would really love to come back and help people. Health challenges face by people here due to the remoteness of villages and Islands compared to the health services available is overwhelming.
Though their stay is only for three months, the two young doctors devote all their energy and passion, with the hope to strengthen the brotherhood between Taiwan and Solomon Islands, in assisting those islanders in need.
“We encourage Solomon Islanders to keep the courage and hope despite the challenges they face. You have a beautiful country with a lot of resources. Your country will grow to the standard of providing adequate health services to everyone in the future.”
The two are leaving for Taiwan this week.
By EDNAL PALMER