Australia Update #6: Wednesday, January 17, 2007

G'day from Cherbourg!

The heat has returned – after two days of welcome clouds and temperatures in the low 80's - the sun reappeared this morning and by 4PM it was back up into the mid-90's. I am appreciating my Medical Center assignment with AC more and more! Unfortunately, there still has been no appreciable rain here locally. Warren, our host, has said this drought has been going on for most of 5 years! If the rains do not come within the next two months – their remaining Summer – they will have to wait another 12 months!


Though I am having limited patient contact, I am continuing to be utilized by Ann and Sharon, the two RN's in helping planning Outreach programs,organizing their current stock of emergency supplies/equipment (limited) and identifying items they might consider (a lot!) The doctors have the only emergency meds – Epi – Atropine – Lido etc. in their own personal bags sooooo if they aren't around …..and most of their "pharmacy" inventory are samples procured from someone somewhere. However, pparently the funding is there from the Government (perhaps pay-off, guilt from past treatment/abuses of The Aboriginals - maybe?) so "the sky's the limit" – Lifepak 12 defib. with all the accessories – "No Worries, Mate"!

Another individual in the community died yesterday – now 6 in 3 weeks – This fellow had just returned from vacation – went back on the job and dropped with a heart attack – 50 years old. The funerals – two last week, two this week and one next brings community work to a halt – out of respect for the deceased – thus our work stops too. The Medical Center will close early Thursday and Friday though most places shut down totally. We were told that in some Aboriginal communities, the funeral/grieving traditions of time from death to burial can last up to 3 months and the entire place just stops everything – depending upon the position of the individual in the community, especially if an Elder!!

Since we will be closing at The Medical Center early on Friday probably by noon, this will enable me to catch an afternoon bus from the nearby town of Murgon into Brisbane for the weekend. I was so jet-lagged from the flight over when I arrived – I really didn't get a chance to poke around, so this will be another chance to explore.

Photos – Check out the Medical Center reception area – see any patients??? How about the flat screen? – all the staff comes out at lunchtime 12:30 – 1:30 (no visits scheduled!) and watches OPRAH (Meg Ryan was on that day!)

Cheers, jw