the opportunity to go to the islands the day prior to events and meet with POCs,
assess sites, and discuss planned activities with HN. This created an advantage
over every other mission stop. When we returned the day of the events, everyone was ready to engage immediately with no miscommunication or unmet
expectations.
(1) Challenges:
(a) Health fairs experienced significant security issues. Petty theft was
rampant. Children were taking things from PP13 staff’s pockets, backpacks, and
uniforms. HN security was present but unengaged. Crowd control was
dependent on physical set-up of tables, chairs and ropes/tape.
(b) Many children presented for dental screenings without their parents.
Unable to complete these exams without parental consent. HN public unaware
of this requirement.
(c) COMREL activities detracted from the health fair information. People
were requesting “free stuff” without interest in receiving health education.
(d) Not enough portable restrooms provided at health fairs.
(e) Hospital requested additional assistance with meal-planning for renal
and diabetic restrictions. There was inadequate time to meet this request;
however, the USAF dietitian agreed to assist via e-mail after returning from the
mission.
(f) Water safety activities planned by 2 separate groups were not deconflicted. Engineering personnel set up training/presentations at the same time
preventive medicine had scheduled activities with the same HN personnel.
(g) Public Health Screening lacked adequate translators.
(h) 1st Aid & CPR education for community and first responders. Content
of the lectures was too in-depth for audience. Many young children attended. No
content was tailored for this age group. Time was too limited for amount of
information and hands-on opportunity.
(i) Laura Clinic was on a remote end of the island. PP13 staff was
unaware that the clinic was scheduled through 2000 hrs. The clinic staffed
expected PP staff to stay until that time. No consideration for RON had been
made. In hindsight, this would have greatly improved the event.
(2) Successes:
(a) Staff was able to configure physical barriers at health fair on 2nd day to
provide greater security. Yellow tape was used to outline patient flow. Personal
belongings were stowed in a central area and attended by a PP13 staff member.
(b) Optometry was very well received; a big draw to the health fair.
(c) Clinicians in RMI were very engaged in SMEE activities. Most medical
professionals were not Marshallese. Many were Fijian or Filipino. PP staff
expressed that this may have been a factor.
(d) Meeting the day before was very helpful. Expectations were laid out.
Several adjustments were made to accommodate HN needs/desires.
(e) Relationships were forged between medical providers, and plans were
made to continue informal information exchange/SMEE over email.
(f) Preventive medicine efforts were able to focus on discovering what
deficiencies were present in HN's understanding of how to use equipment given
to them for water safety. SMEE activities focused on closing this gap.
Table of Contents | Quick Look | Contact PKSOI
Page 20 of 52