Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Padang Terap D8: Kids here we come



Today, our journey begins in Klinik Kesihatan Kuala Nerang. Here, we were lucky enough to meet the School Health Team, a team dedicated for the purpose of school child health. As usual the morning starts with a small briefing by the nurses’ in-charge. The school team comprises of two nurses and their two assistants. We did enquire if a doctor would be more appropriate for the team. But again, the lack of staff in the health sector proved to be a strong challenge against perfection. Nevertheless, the team was good enough having sufficient knowledge, equipment and most of all dedication to this noble profession.

The start of our interesting day took us to SRJK(C) Kou Hua, a small Chinese based school in Kuala Nerang. There were not many younglings who greeted us, but the minute pack proved to have the cutest faces and expressions that could make you smile and laugh for hours. Here, we were to screen the health status of these kids (weight, height, general examination and eye test) and also giving them a shot of immunization which is of course what they feared.

The first batch (Standard 1 students) walked in looking very much lost. For a moment we searched them, for those were the shortest but cutest of the people we have met throughout our posting. They complied with all our instructions and the girls in our group were best with the motherly instincts reflected when they pampered and cared for a crying little one who had so much fear for the needle. Some of us even got our chance (first time) to have a firsthand experience in giving the immunization shots. The nurses personally requested from us a detailed examination for the kids since we were almost doctors. Well, it paid off when we detected few respiratory problems (thanks to Alia’s auscultation skill) and referred them to the clinic. The nurses were more than content to have a better screening session with us around.

A visit around the school brought back our memories of our schooling age. The excitement and laughter was so innocent. Friends were always friends. Enemies were always temporary. The kids had so much fun posing in front of the camera hoping to somehow fit in each snaps taken. We believe these individuals deserve the best and this health program offered is indeed a wise option.

Our day ends with a 30 minute visit to a small exhibition by the ever active vector unit in Kuala Nerang taxi terminal. It was tiring, but the fun was just too good to forget.


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