No More
Pain!
No More
Pain!
Yasawa Islands, Fiji
Fiji Medical Mission 2024
Imagine for a moment you live on a remote island in the South Pacific and have been living with oral pain for months, or even longer. You have limited access to a dentist or medical practitioner that can give you something to relieve the pain. You can't eat on one side of your mouth and maybe the pain is great enough that even the thought of chewing food causes pain...
It would seem that in the twenty-first century this issue of a lack of oral care would have been alleviated but there are more people in this situation than we know!
In Fiji, based on limited data, there is one dentist per 8,500 people. Oral health is promoted on Fiji’s main island, by both government agencies and private organizations, however many of the outlier islands are not served to the same degree by this aid.
It would seem that in the twenty-first century this issue of a lack of oral care would have been alleviated but there are more people in this situation than we know!
In Fiji, based on limited data, there is one dentist per 8,500 people. Oral health is promoted on Fiji’s main island, by both government agencies and private organizations, however many of the outlier islands are not served to the same degree by this aid.
Then you hear of a small ship that has anchored 1,000ft / 300m from the shore of your village and has the means to help alleviate this pain in your mouth. Taking a small boat out to the vessel, you are greeted by a dedicated team of volunteers who have spent months preparing for your arrival!
The care provided by these dedicated professionals is not just from a knowledge of the head but a passion from the heart, which makes the care given even more beautiful.
The care provided by these dedicated professionals is not just from a knowledge of the head but a passion from the heart, which makes the care given even more beautiful.
Yet, for every patient helped during this year’s outreach, there are multiple volunteers serving throughout the year to prepare the ship ready to deploy.
It was our privilege to serve onboard ship earlier this year facilitating technical training for 35 students, some of whom served in Fiji. The crew and volunteers of the Koha helped provide islanders with optometry, medical, and dental services in conjunction with land-based clinics.
Although it is not about numbers but people, it is helpful to know the impact in a tangible way. During this outreach 3,096 patients were served - dental patients1,887, eye care patients 1,864, health team patients 2,311 - a total of 13,373 services provided.
It was our privilege to serve onboard ship earlier this year facilitating technical training for 35 students, some of whom served in Fiji. The crew and volunteers of the Koha helped provide islanders with optometry, medical, and dental services in conjunction with land-based clinics.
Although it is not about numbers but people, it is helpful to know the impact in a tangible way. During this outreach 3,096 patients were served - dental patients1,887, eye care patients 1,864, health team patients 2,311 - a total of 13,373 services provided.
"A couple of weeks ago, some of our team in Fiji had the privilege of sharing a report on this year's outreach with the President of Fiji.
It is one of the highest honours in Fijian culture to be hosted by His Excellency at State House"
- Marty Emmett, YWAM Ships Aotearoa
It is one of the highest honours in Fijian culture to be hosted by His Excellency at State House"
- Marty Emmett, YWAM Ships Aotearoa
Thank you for joining us in the journey this year! Your support has made a lasting impact in the lives of over 3,000 isolated islanders who otherwise would not receive the medical and dental services they so desperately need.
As we look ahead to 2025 and the need to adapt our program to fit the needs of change, we look forward to new opportunities, while continuing our focus to advancing maritime training for ministry ships.
Thank you for partnering with us as we serve the most remote peoples of the world!
-Matthew
As we look ahead to 2025 and the need to adapt our program to fit the needs of change, we look forward to new opportunities, while continuing our focus to advancing maritime training for ministry ships.
Thank you for partnering with us as we serve the most remote peoples of the world!
-Matthew
#nomorepain #ywamshipsaotearoa #medicalmissionfiji2024
PC: MAST Global & YWAM Ships Aotearoa
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