Volcano!

Heading for Timor Leste. Today off the starboard side of the ship we passed an active volcano. I don't know the name of the little island but it sure was spouting off smoke. This is the "Ring of Fire" after all, and one of the most geologically active places in the world. Even though it is exciting seeing something like an active volcano it makes you think about where you are and the hazards you face on a mission like this. Being on the ship I thought "what if that thing blew" What types of risks would we be facing"? Even if it wasn't catastrophic, exposure to the ash and sulfur dioxide could cause respiratory issues. That's something to consider when dealing with health-care issues of the citizens of this area. Not only from volcanoes, but more from the pollution caused by burning off the forests for cash crops, what they use for cooking fuel and the exhaust from the ubiquitous motorcycles. It has become a real problem in this part of the world and the wind can carry it to other countries. Last time I was here I could see the rising smoke from the airplane.
Timor Leste is a new country that claimed it's independence from Indonesia in 2002. There's been a lot of instability and much of the infrastructure has been destroyed in the struggles, so there is great need here. TB and dengue fever are problems here. They Xray the patients before coming on board, but at the in -country medical sites that is not so easy. Stress is put on the importance of using deet to keep the mosquitoes at bay as there is no prophylaxis for dengue. We take medication to prevent malaria, but that doesn't protect you from dengue. Other risks are possibly getting parasites, some which don't present with any symptoms. Most are easily treatable if caught early, but we have seen some interesting and heartbreaking cases. One, a 17 year old boy in Vietnam had been a normal teenager until about a year ago. When he came to us he was on a stretcher, couldn't walk and had other neurological problems. Upon having a CT scan, it was discovered that he had a pork tapeworm in his brain causing encephalitis. We were able to help him get treatment through the Vietnamese government, but it is a sad case.
We'll spend about two weeks here doing medical and civic projects like building a community center, then it's off to Darwin where I'll start my journey home.
Take care