Medical Mission with Singapore Red Cross to Meuloboh/Nias Island - follow up 3

Time flies after the weekend. The briefing was held on yesterday, Monday 7pm. It took 3 hours for the coordinator, Simon to brief all team members, including me, to their satisfaction. This was despite the constant-changing situation on the ground over in Meulaboh and Nias.

We were informed that we are to expect the unexpected. I was already mentally and emotionally prepared for this, as I had prepared myself with an open mind. After the night's briefing, I spent the remainder of the night arranging my clothes and stack them nicely to be packed.

Tonight was spent buying the remainder of the essential stuff such as insect repellents and extra batteries, and packing of all the items. Things went smoothly, and I'm doing this latest update before I rest.

Well, I'm stopping here. See you guys when I'm back! Adios!

CHEERS!!

Medical Mission with Singapore Red Cross to Meuloboh/Nias Island - follow up 2

It's a weekend today. For most, it's a day with their family or with friends. For me, it's preparation for the upcoming Medical Mission.

Morning was spent reading and searching the latest news on Nias and today's news. Late morning was spent drawing a list of items to buy. Then I went shopping and buying the required items, including versatile backpacks in the afternoon.

Things didn't go as smoothly as expected. I couldn't find the versatile backpack I had in mind, so I had to mix and match. This is achieved by putting together a collapsable backpack that could fold to become a waistpouch, a multiple pocket pouch as a side pouch and a water-bottle pouch. I fixed the multi-pocket pouch to the left of the backpack/waistpouch and the water-bottle pouch to the right. And presto! I had a versatile gear to equip myself with. However, it cost me quite a bit, but luckily the expenditure's lower than $100.

However, this took up almost the whole day!! I was left with only the night and early wee hours of next morning to pack my clothes & other stuff! Tomorrow evening is the time for the Medical Mission's brief, so I'm left with Tuesday night to patch up whatever items I've left out! Arrghh!!! I better get cracking... and go over the list as I pack. Tick tock, tick tock... time's flying....

From left to right:-
multi-pocket pouch, backpack/waistpouch(collapsed mode)
and water-bottle pouch with water bottle.

Right photo: backpack/waistpouch in fully-open mode

Medical Mission with Singapore Red Cross to Meuloboh/Nias Island - follow up 1

This morning I received a call from the Red Cross coordinator for the Medical Mission. He wanted to confirm my participation. I informed him that my leave was approved and my participation was 100% confirmed.

I asked him for updates on the medical team and he said that he could confirm the doctor's and my participation as at that time. The response was still a little cold. That means there's very high possibility that it'll be a 2-man team -- me & the doctor only. Well, isn't that a real challenge!

With that 2-man medical team scenario in mind, I'm mentally preparing myself over the weekend to gear myself psychologically in managing all kinds of situation over in Ground Zero.

Medical Mission with Singapore Red Cross to Meuloboh/Nias Island

An opportunity of a lifetime that most people missed out, yet reject when presented to them -- the opportunity to go on a medical mission. It all started with a call from Singapore Red Cross society, asking me whether I'm interested to be part of a medical team comprising of 1 doctor and 3 nurses.

I was immediately excited about the opportunity to experience a medical mission deep in a disaster ground, usually known as Ground Zero. I made enquiries on several details on the mission. I was informed that so far only the doctor's participation was confirmed. The vacancy for the positions of the 3 nurses were still empty due to poor response and a very short notice to go the mission. Hmm... if I were the only other person in the team, it's only me and the doctor! Wow, what a challenge!!

I decided that I won't want to miss this out, so I discussed this with my general manager to get approval for my leave. The good news was that my GM didn't object to me going on the 10-day mission. As long as I'm able to hand over my duties and find other colleagues to cover my duties for the 10 days, I'll be able to go on the medical mission with peace in mind and heart.

So with a hopeful spirit, I made pre-preparation arrangements and consulted a general practitioner for vaccination. I could just hope for the best that I can make appropriate arrangements for my work and everything go smoothly.