Our Second Day of Clinic

Our second day of clinic, in my opinion, was a success: The success was possible because of the experience we gained from the first clinic and the students' ability to quickly adapt to a new environment.

We entered Long Son commune in Long An Trouble hit us first thing in the morning as our bus were too big to fit through a gate in the village, and we were forced to wait for a series of smaller shuttles to come carry our team and equipment to the clinic site, Long Son Elementary School. The villagers already waited since morning and lined up in rows in front of the intake table. Our intake team and triage team immediately got to work, and I began to call out the villagers' names so they can begin to receive the clinic's services. Cecilia and Anton diligently manned the intake table to transfer names and assign numbers to patients in order.

Villagers from Long Son commune waited since dawn.

Though starting at around 8:30 AM, many villagers from all ages had been waiting since 5:00 AM. By around 10:00 AM, the crowd looked just like how it was when clinic began. No matter how quick we attempted to move the flow, there was just way too many villagers, many of them traveled for a distance just to get a chance to get medical help. Among them were many senior citizens over 70, 80, or even 90. Many could not handle waiting for a long time in the heat, and even though we tried to get as many as we can helped as soon as possible, it took hours, if not the whole clinic time, to help all senior citizens with their needs. Despite waiting in the heat, the complaints, and the chaos, I could not help but smile as I work. In front of me, I see all the old villagers women sit together and talking to keep each other company. When someone gets called in the group, they helped that person up and promised to keep an eye on that person's belongings, which was usually a pair of slippers and a straw hat, while she went to see the doctor. Calling the villagers' names for their turn was definitely a stressful job, but rewarding at the same time. Whenever I messed up with a name, the whole crowd laughed, and everyone had a good time as I correct my pronunciation. It was amazing how one simple word can bring smiles to so many, including myself.

Christine from the triage team helped a patient.

Natalie helped a senior citizen to the triage station.

I glanced over and saw the triage team constantly at work with very very little time for breaks. Further down the clinic site, the dental team and ultrasound/EKG stations were also busy. Even when clinics were over, the dental and ultrasound/EKG stations still continued to work for another 2 hours. Dr. John Belville did not leave the ultrasound machine all day, while Albert and William, under Long Co's supervision, manned the EKG machine throughout the morning. We saw around 500 patients by the end of the day, and many left home after receiving consultations, screening, and medicines.

Ultrasound station.

The pharmacy was kept busy the whole day....

....and so was the dental station.

The 6G team once again outperformed themselves from the first day of clinic. We then head back to Saigon for a few days ahead working with the University Hospital.

-Tuan

Anton here everyone. I just wanted to add on a video that I found especially endearing from intake.