Kapuna Hospital, Papua New Guinea
Summary
This island nation is located just north of Australia. Kapuna Hospital provides the only medical care for some 15,000 people in an area where there are no roads and all traveling is by boat. Infectious diseases are particularly common in this region, including malaria, TB, and HIV complications. The hospital is also known for obstetrics care, and for its malaria and HIV prevention efforts.
Medical students from the Port Moresby Medical School regularly serve at Kapuna Hospital. Responsibilities normally include inpatient care, obstetrics, surgical procedures, outpatient clinic, and participation in community health work. Students are also invited to go on boat trips to visit the outlying clinics for days at a time. English is the official language of Papua New Guinea.
Location & CommunityKapuna Hospital is located in a remote area on the southwest peninsula of Papua New Guinea (PNG). The region is marked by tropical forest and the Purari River delta. There are no roads and all travel is by boat or on foot. Average temperature is around 30 C, and varies from about 40 C to 22 C with high humidity. The wet season is from June to September. There is a pleasant breeze at times.
TransportationInternational visitors initially fly into Jackson Airport in the capital city of Port Moresby. If accommodations are needed for an overnight, these can be arranged by Kapuna Hospital but must be requested at least two months in advance. From Port Moresby, a flight is taken to Baimuru Station on Airlines Papua New Guinea. The final connection from Baimuru Station to Kapuna Hospital, about 20 km, is by boat. As an alternative to Baimuru Station, students can also fly into Kikori Hospital (on Airlines PNG or Hevilift) and take a boat ride (about three hours) to Kapuna Hospital. Hevilift airline is generally much more reliable than Airlines PNG. Student discounts are available.
Visa RequirementsProspective visitors should visit the PNG Embassy website appropriate for their nationality. The PNG America Embassy website is http://www.pngembassy.org/migration.html#9. Visitors visas are available on arrival at Jackson’s airport in Port Moresby. Visitors and students can usually obtain a 60-day tourist visa in the international terminal, but should have a letter of invitation from Kapuna Hospital in the case of difficulty. Longer visas must be obtained from your nearest PNG High Commission.
Traveler’s Health & SafetyPlease check the CDC travel website for the most up-to-date information: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. Mosquitoes are common and necessitate sleeping under a mosquito net. These are available at Kapuna. Malaria prophylactics are essential, and mefloquine is generally recommended. Vaccination against typhoid, hepatitis A and B, and tetanus should be current. Upon arrival precautions against crocodiles and snakes will be reviewed. Visitors are advised to regularly check the U.S. State Department website for the most up-to-date information regarding travel advisories: http://www.state.gov/travelandbusiness. Visitors are advised to regularly check the U.S. State Department website for the most up-to-date information regarding country specific travel information http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html
PatientsPeople coming to Kapuna Hospital for care are usually local villagers who subsist on very limited resources. They frequently make a living by canoe carving or fishing. Injuries and infectious diseases are common among these people, while cardiovascular disease and cancer are rarely encountered.
LanguagesThe official language in PNG is English, and most people understand English and speak it with varying proficiency. The other 2 main languages are Pidgin and Motu.
FacilitiesKapuna Hospital was established by the London Missionary Society in the 1950s, and today is the only medical facility for about 15,000 people. It has 50 beds, and is normally filled to capacity. Malaria, TB, HIV complications, and injuries from crocodile attacks and knife wounds are common. 275 deliveries are performed each year. The outpatient clinic is busy and provides antenatal checkups, immunizations, well-child care and TB treatment. Kapuna Hospital also provides care through 52 village clinics.
The Kapuna Hospital community health program is very active, and is lead by graduates of the Community Health Worker (CHW) training school started at Kapuna in 1985. This two-year program trains 25 new students per year. Community health activities include the Rotary Against Malaria (RAM) effort to provide mosquito nets and malaria prevention training to villagers, and comprehensive AIDS/HIV awareness and prevention program.
Health Profession StaffDr. Lin Calvert leads the medical staff at Kapuna Hospital, often assisted by short-term physicians. She originally arrived at Kapuna with her late husband in the 1950s, and has been practicing in the Gulf province since then.
Student ExperienceMedical students from the Port Moresby Medical School regularly serve at Kapuna Hospital. The daily agenda usually begins at 7:00 with morning rounds. Devotionals with the nursing officers and students occur two days per week and everyone is invited to participate. Lunch time is followed by a rest period, medical work, dinner and evening rounds. Students are also invited to go on boat trips to visit the outlying clinics for days at a time.
Student Blogs
Student Lodging & MealsVisitor accommodation is available in most of the staff houses, depending on one’s requirements and tastes. Mosquito net, linen and towels are all provided. Toilets are usually the long drop variety. Electricity is generated for 10 hours each night, mainly for lighting. It is 240 volt and uses the same plug as New Zealand. Depending on the time of year one may need to walk through surface water or mud to get from house to house, and be careful with water consumption because of uncertainty about when the next rain is coming. The houses have running water and the doctor’s house has a washing machine.
A limited range of grocery items are available at the hospital store, including soap, toothpaste, soap powder, batteries, stamps, writing paper rice, cracker biscuits, tinned fish, cordial syrup etc. (but not shampoo, conditioner, tampons, sun screen or insect repellent). More “luxury” items, like soft drinks and sweets, are available at the Baimuru store.
Outside CommunicationCurrently, Kapuna has a V sat phone. They also have a computer with email access, but internet is not available. Telecards are available and can be used on the phone to call out.
Facility SupportINMED invites all participants to consider raising extra funds to donate to support the facility. This is not required but allows INMED participants to become involved in every aspect of medical missions.
Behavior & DressCool, loose fitting cotton clothing is ideal wear for this climate. Women wear knee length skirts or dresses, especially when attending church. Women can also wear long shorts (Bermudas) and these are very practical, particularly for canoe travel. Short shorts and swimming suits are not accepted in this culture for women. (Women bath in their skirts or dresses). Women’s tops should also be modest covering the midriff and not too tight. Few women wear sleeveless tops in public, but if the top is otherwise modest it shouldn’t be a problem.
Both men and women should bring one long-sleeved shirt or light sweatshirt for cool mornings and early morning canoe travel, and to protect arms from the sun, and long trousers are good for evenings to prevent mosquito bites. A folding umbrella is useful both as a sunshade or when walking between buildings in one of the regular tropical deluges. Also consider brining a light nylon parka, sun hat, sun glasses. As for shoes, most people at Kapuna go barefooted or wear sandals, flip flops or thongs and it is unlikely one would require any other sort of shoe except perhaps one other pair of good shoes for travel between New Zealand/Australia and Port Moresby.
What To PackSpare camera film, flashlight, sunscreen lotion, insect repellent, hydrocortisone or Solarcane for insect bites, moisturizing cream, photos of your home and family for everyone will be interested in these, small snacks or sweets, and any food you can’t do without! Medical students should bring their stethoscope and otoscope/ophthalmoscope set.