In its third year, the Nabila Medical Outreach is led by Leena Zhou, an Australian General Practitioner, Surgeon and yoga instructor. She’s passionate about bringing high-level medical care to our locals and offers some unique surgical services with her team. This year most volunteers stayed on Namotu and commuted by boat to Nabila . Words by Leena…
Another successful outreach with my team of incredible volunteers, all of whom wore their hearts on their sleeves.
5 doctors. 2 surgeons. 5 nurses. 1 physio. 1 speech path. 1 med student. 3 helpers.
260 health assessments at Nabila Village.
47 health assessments at Namotu Island.
31 surgical cases.
1 school visit.
7 home visits.
All in 5 days.
This year felt intense, driven & purposeful. We worked harmoniously with Nabila village & the Fiji Government who were conducting HIV tests (now endemic in the country).
Through the drenching sweat & inexorable heat, I feel a strange lightness that I haven’t felt in previous years. We’ve created a positive change for the Nabila community/surrounds AND we’ve finally found flow within our team dynamics in the delivery of world-class healthcare.
I feel like a proud auntie, witnessing the growth of this little seedling project that has had life-changing impacts on people’s lives.
I am forever grateful & humbled for the collective effort of my team members, for @namotuisland who have continually supported my outreach journey (& boosted me up when I was close to giving it up last year), in addition to all our island friends who have donated their money in their belief of our cause.
A final massive thank you to my partner Marc, for holding the fort at home while I’ve run away on these solo missions.
Vinaka vaka levu Namotu & Nabila vuvale,
Until next year!
Photos by Max Hinton. Special thanks to Jen and TravelWell, and Ulai and Cost Money Mate Tours for supporting the clinic again!