1. Part of Mt Hagen General Hospital
A few weeks ago while working on the GA8 landing gear I had an accident. I was in a real awkward position in the cargo pod with my right hand up through a little access panel. This gives access to the attachment for the main landing gear. I had installed the landing gear and all that was left was to install the protective cover. It was really tight to fit on and line up. After spending some time on this, I was in the process of turning the cover to line up the holes. As I did this for some time, one attempt the strap wrench I was using slipped with a lot of force behind it. With this my right hand was thrown against the aircraft structure. My pinkie finger was crushed against the structure, which was very painful, which resulted in me punching something with that same hand. I have had many different injuries over the years at work, including deep cuts, to eye injuries. But this seemed it could be the worse. As my finger hit the structure, I felt something give or slip inside.
After making up an ice pack from what I could scrounge I went to one of our first aid officers to get it looked at. The first five to ten minutes were very painful, pain that I have not experienced for some time. It seemed okay, I could move it but may have pinched a nerve. But because my hands are so valuable to the work I do and because I felt something give and the finger was crushed, it was thought it would be good to get an x-ray and this is where all the fun really started. If the tip had been crushed, it could easily become infected and if it was to become infected, it would cause a lot of problems down the track.
First trip was to a pilot’s wife who has some nursing experience who had a look and agreed too on getting an x-ray. So that afternoon I headed to Mt Hagen hospital with one of the national staff. There is a lot of family history with PNG, I am the third out of four generations to come here (my Grandfather and Great Grandfather have served here during both World War’s). Another family member, my Grandfather’s brother was here during WW2 and came back post war (after the war) to help with building projects. One of these projects was building the hospital (Haus Sik in Tok Pisin) in Mt Hagen. I have walked or driven past the hospital plenty of times and have never been inside before, which would be a real eye opener.
The hospital is not one of the same standards as back in Australia. People back home complain about hospitals back there, but they should really see the state of the ones here. Don’t get me wrong, despite its condition, it is still needed and well used. As I got processed and waited to see someone assess me, I was shocked to see the condition of the place. I wouldn’t be able to say when the place was really cleaned well,or the place maintained. There were people lying down in waiting booths in all types of states. In the end I got processed and got approved for an x-ray. But at that time of day, only x-rays for emergency cases were done. For me it was a lot of trouble to go to the hospital during work hours, as the airport is 10 km from town and trying to get an aircraft serviceable. And my national friend talked them into trying to get me an x-ray. We headed up to that part of the hospital to find it closed and no one there. So I would have to return the following day.
2. The x-ray, you cant make out the pinkie finger
With my two fingers taped together I returned to work the next morning. Having two fingers out of action really made things so much harder. Later in the morning we headed back in to town to get this x-ray. I get to the waiting area to find a few people waiting, one being a young boy with a broken leg and his family. Another man from a remote village who had been attacked by some rascals and had a few injuries. As we waited I talked with them, in the end I went to try and find someone to find out what was going on, as the opening hours were present. I finally found a nurse in another ward, who did some investigation and found out, due to there being no water, the x-ray was closed, but with no sign of course. So this man and I went outside the hospital, as I waited to get picked up at some point. During this time we continued to talk and I was able to minister to him regarding where he was at with God. We talked all in Tok Pisin, which was awesome.
After some time, a nurse came outside informing us that water was back on and the x-ray room was now open. We both return to the waiting area to find a larger crowd than before. So I waited some more and it seemed it would take all day to get this x-ray, maybe I might not get it at all. So I thought I would just not worry about it once my work colleague arrived. But interesting enough, he checked with the chief operator (who is a friend) to see what was happening and explained our situation. Within two minutes I had the x-ray taken, I was really embarrassed for all these people in line to see me jump the queue even though I had spent way more time there than themselves. As it can be common for white skins to get special treatment, which I do not want. After all this I was hoping I had cracked or broken the bone. After a while I received the x-ray and that was it. So by my own diagnose and that of my boss we agreed that no damage was done and I must have pinched a nerve.
My experience at the hospital in a third world country was one of an eye opener. To see the contrast between here and back home is amazing. The x-ray is by far the cheapest I have ever paid, but probably not the clearest one I have had. But despite what is here, it is an essential for the people and does meet some of the need. Fortunately there is a Nazarene Missions hospital about 40 mins out of town, so if I ever get serious injured I will make sure I head in that direction. My finger nail is still bruised a little purple, but is a lot better now. I was not limited for too long in the end by not being able to use my pinkie and other finger. I really appreciate that little guy.
October 20th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
hey matt.
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