East Timor trip

Now that I am not running, I need a new excuse to travel overseas. I love travelling to third world countries, I am a serial volunteerer and am very concerned about global health. So every year I plan to use my medical skills to volunteer overseas each summer. Last summer I went to India but didn't gain much experience because I had only done 2 years of medical school. After our first clinical year we now have much more experience and useful skills to work in hospitals. I have been following the progress of a few overseas clinics that require volunteers so in August I started the process of deciding which one to spend my summer at.

Several of the clinics I plan to visit over the next few years only take students after 4th year or in final year. The Bairo Pite clinic (http://bairopiteclinic.org/) in East Timor is generally one of these. However I was ecstatic to find they accepted my application and I will be spending a month at the clinic in December and January. The clinic has been run for about 12 years by an American, Dr Dan. It relies on medical students and foreign doctors to keep it going.

This is how I have planned my trip so far.

December 7th - fly Melbourne to Bali, Indonesia via Darwin.
Spend 4 nights/3 days in Bali staying at a homestay in Ubud.

December 11th - fly Bali to Dili, East Timor
Spend 32 days working 6.5 days a week at the Bairo Pite clinic. Staying at a homestay in Dili city.

January 11th - fly Dili to Darwin
Spend 3 nights in Darwin

January 14th - fly Darwin to Melbourne

I am very excited about spending a month living in Dili. I just feel so at home in developing nations. I just love the way of life.

It is going to be hard work in Dili. The medical students generally work 6.5 days per week. Long days too.
This is what a typical day is supposed to be like
7.30am - give a tutorial to the locals about healthcare
8.00am - ward rounds with the whole team
11.00ish - go out with a 'mobile clinic' to a remote town - this is generally a 4WD with a nurse and interpreter and medical student. See many patients. Dr Dan runs an outpatient clinic back at Bairo Pite Clinic during this time
4.00ish - the medical students run a ward round to ensure the patients are stable
6.00ish - finish
later - can stay back to help with maternity.

I hope I will be able to cope with these long days in the heat. I hope to meet many new people and do lots of activities around the island too, such as scuba diving or snorkelling.


But I need to keep studying now if there is going to be any point in me going to East Timor!