This is the the dental clinic at the Niu’ui Hospital at Pangai, on the island of Lafoka, Ha’apai. The hospital is 40 years old, and it has absorbed some hard use. The Kingdom is building a new hospital, that should be completed next year. The dental clinic is about what we expected, but not what we are used to in the U.S.
The charting system is rudimentary.
The x-ray machine doesn’t work.
The suction doesn’t work, either.
It sucks up a little bit, and then disgorges all of the contents of the container back into the patients’ mouths. Not good.
We work from this mobile cabinet. The fan moves the air. It’s about 90 degrees and 99% humidity.
This is our back-bar, just behind the chair (that doesn’t move.)
We have a stand for tray set-ups, but it’s being used for other purposes, at the moment.
This is where we do charting. We learn to make-do with what we have.
We have a case for medicines, but we don’t dispense much. We only have the basics.
This is our central sterilization area. This is the clean side.
We could use some more cleaning agents, but it’s not in the budget, at the moment.
I think they could use some plastic bins!!
This is the pharmacy for the hospital.
It is a little cluttered.
Exam Room.
Anything you could ever imagine that you would need is at your fingertips.
A basic room – 4 beds, open windows lots of flies.
The oxygen tank is a little scary.
Not fancy, but I suppose it gets the job done.
Pediatrics.
It is “Tongan” clean.
Welcome to our world. 🙂
Phil and Jan's Adventure in Tonga 
Wow wow wow. Just wow.
LikeLike
There are really no descriptive words sufficient to describe the beauty of this place where you’ve landed….. nor the poverty and the lack of everything that we take for granted. I can only imagine it makes your hearts hurt to see what little they get by with in treating medical and dental patients…..but then, I expect they are so grateful for the little they DO have. We are spoiled. I will be more grateful.
LikeLike