Padang Terap D7: Neverending

It was like every other morning, chillness of the air that dampened our spirits and will. But as always, we’ve got housemates to wake each other along with surprises that excites. Getting used to our environment, the house was filled with grown kids fighting for the limited number of bathrooms, well, what to say… quite a sight nevertheless.

Upon reaching our destined place as usual and like always, the internet in the air-conditioned meeting room started our day proper. At about 9 a.m., a middle aged lady in dark blue outfit entered the meeting room with a sweet smile on her face. She addressed herself as Matron Sabariah who had the duty to enlighten us about MCH which consists of maternal health, child health and family planning this morning.

Before we departed to Klinik Kesihatan Kuala Nerang, Matron Sabariah briefed us about the objectives and responsibilities of the MCH unit. She also stressed on the importance of preventing maternal and child mortality as it has a significant impact on the nation’s development. We also had a question and answer session with her and through her answers we realized that she is very knowledgeable and has had a lot of experience in the public health.

The clinic is just a mere 5 minutes drive from the District Health Office. Guided by the health office van, we reached with little effort. Upon reaching, we were welcomed by the staff nurses. We informed our purpose there and in no time, we trailed the nurse to look around. After a short wait, the nutritionist was ready to meet us. She was indeed sweet and welcoming. As nutrition shares many topics in common, we bulleted her with diverse questions but calmly she replied with a smile. Common nutrition problems encountered here such as anemia and diabetes in ante-natal women, underweight and overweight children were amongst the issues discussed. Consequently, the food basket programme was conversed in greater details. Overall, nutrition was covered extensively.

After that, staff nurse Sopiah,spoke to us about family planning. According to her, family planning unit is a branch of family medicine which also includes antenatal and child health. In KK Kuala Nerang the staff nurse is in charge of this unit. They have a specific room for their unit where counseling and treatment takes place. Usually patients start with family planning after 42 postnatal days. The most common method of contraception used here is contraceptive pills (OCP). This method is usually preferred by the patients themselves. Doctors also do give suggestions to them when any complication arises. For the insertion of IUCDs, they are referred to private clinic or to the O&G specialist. The follow up is usually once in 2 months or depending on the supply of medication. PKD supplies each KK with OCPs once in a year. LPPKN also provides family planning services.

Today, many of us split to acquire passable information on variable topics. Like hyenas, we grouped the nurse to source our information. The scene was hectic and as always was beneficial. It was a short session in the morning and we left early for lunch.

After lunch, about 3.00p.m, all of us gathered to attend the afternoon session lead by the Kesihatan Pekerjaan dan Alam Sekitar (KPAS) official, Encik Mohd Azran bin Ahmad. The division functions to take care the welfare of health workers in the district. This includes staffs working in Klinik Desa (KD) and Klinik Kesihatan (KK). Each of them are required to take Hepatitis B vaccination. Influenza vaccination is given once yearly. They also supply Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like mask, goggles and respirator for the fogging team. To avoid needle stick injury, the health care workers at KD and KK are monitored by this unit and cases will be reported for further action to be taken. They also make sure that schools are equipped with fire extinguisher in case of emergencies like fire. They are also responsible to release license for public events such as “menorah”, “tajjai” and “wayang kulit”.

For maternal health services, it consists of pre-conceptional, antenatal, natal, postnatal and family planning. For pre-conceptional services, health education is done by the school team for secondary school students. In antenatal care, the patient comes to register and to confirm pregnancy. Treatments are also done if they suffer any medical conditions. There is also tag system which indicates the risk category of the mothers. Natal services are done mainly by the staff nurse and community nurse. If complication arises then the patient is referred to Alor Setar Hospital. After delivery, postnatal visits are done within 24 hours at the mother’s house. The follow up continues up to 20 days after deliver at home. On the 30th day, the mothers will go to clinic for further follow up.

Child health proved to be an established service in Padang Terap. Child health was very much a successful program here. A visit to KKK Nerang taught us exotic knowledge on child health care. From child protection, anti-HIV kids, child with special need, nutrition program to immunisation were well performed in perfect balance. According to a staff nurse in KKK Nerang, the statistics for child health is satisfactory and compliance towards this program is almost perfect. It reflects the quality of PKD administration is Padang Terap.

Day 2 of the new week ended at 5.00p.m and Mr. Rezwan from vector department joined us for a short chilly ABC session. We headed back right after.