Visit to the Dentist at Kompiam

Health

3 Aug

Ryan chipped a tooth, right in the middle of his smile. It wasn’t serious and it didn’t hurt, but it’s one of those minor things which raises bigger concerns when living in the bush in PNG. It might have been fine if left, but what if it wasn’t?

Thankfully, less than a month later, as part of his Supervisor Pilot training, Ryan flew to Kompiam, where there is a big Mission Hospital serving Enga Province. https://kompiamhospital.org/

Dr Camy, a Missionary Dentist, has been serving in Kompiam for about 5 years now. When Shiv contacted her, she said she would not be out on a health patrol the day Ryan would be flying through, and should be able to fix him up fairly quickly, which she did! This was a massive blessing as Ryan didn’t have a lot of time available during his training, but his instructor made the slight delay work with their schedule.

Dr Camy’s clinic relies on donations to survive, as her patients, who are mostly Engan people from remote & isolated communities, cannot afford to cover the full costs which are involved in getting all the dental supplies from overseas. Their last Government donation was 5 years ago!

Dr Camy also helps us fellow Missionaries. If her clinic was not available, our next option would be another Missionary Dentist in Goroka, or flying down to Port Moresby, at a cost of GBP350/CAD650 in flights alone, not to mention days lost with Ryan unable to fly! We are so blessed to have access to Dr Camy’s clinic. She shared a little with me about the challenges in getting supplies to keep her clinic, and the whole hospital, running to provide essential health services to the communities they serve…

“It's just a miracle that the hospital runs.” Dr Camy said.

Ryan paid a small donation, on top of the cost of the filling, but this will be a tiny drop in the ocean for a clinic which serves thousands across just 1 province of PNG. Dr Camy explained that, thanks to the visionary work of Dr David Mills who set up Kompiam Hospital, they have innovative ways of making a little money which has kept things going, despite the increasing costs, logistical challenges and lack of donations.

MAF flies regular health patrols for Kompiam Hospital to enable them to serve their remote communities and deal with health concerns before a Medical Evacuation (Medevac) flight becomes necessary. Dr David Mills also set up the “Meri Lift” program, where women who have risky pregnancies are brought to Kompiam Hospital well before their due date so they can be looked after by midwives to reduce the risk they face when giving birth. It is very common for our Medevac flights to be for women having difficulties in child birth.

Please pray for Kompiam Hospital, for Dr Camy’s Dental Clinic and for the provision of regular donations to keep this life-saving hospital open.