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March 16, 2005

CMRC Tsunami Emergency-Response Clinic


A Brief Update on Activities from Jan. 10 to Feb. 2, 2005

Rashid A. Chotani, MD, MPH, and Yahya Shaikh

The Clinic

The clinic, which is now housed in a semi-solid structure, is located approximately 20 meters from the refugee camp serving the population of 1929 refugees plus patients who come in from the local area as well as another camp (Camp no. 1) located approximately 1.5 kilometers away. Patients being served from outside the camp usually come via motorcycles, bicycles or walk.

Examination Room 2

The clinic has three examining rooms, one room which serves as the pharmacy and a triage area as well as an outside waiting area. The clinic has been operational for 12 days, between the hours of 8 am to 2 pm. On an average 58 patients are seen per day.

A Map Showing the Clinic's Location 

 

Patients' Complaints
The top five complaints identified in the clinic were

Examination Room 1

The top three age groups seen were

Several cases of suspected TB have been identified and are being sent to a referral hospital.

Clinic Staff
The overseas staff (2-3 physicians; 2-3 nurses; 2-3 volunteers) is housed at the Wisma Kuta Karang, Jalan Baiturrahim 16, Lhokseumawe, Aceh, Indonesia, approximately one hour's drive from the clinic. The local staff (1 project manager; 2 translators) are from Lhokseumawe. We are currently recruiting 2 local physicians and at least 4 nurses.

Data Collection

The basic form used collects information on age, gender, residence site (refugee camp [tent number], village), chief complaint, past history, physical exam, probable diagnosis and treatment. All records are stored. The advanced surveillance form has now been translated and will be added to the basic medical history and physical exam form. See the Rapid Assessment Form used by clinic personnel.

A registry is being developed of all the post-tsunami orphans in the camp and neighboring villages.

 Synodon, Aceh Utara Refugee Camp

Basic information

Detailed age/gender distribution of the camp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Needs of the camp's population
A quick survey of tens of people and interviews with household heads revealed the following as the top three needs:

A quick survey of tens of people and interviews with household heads revealed the following as the top three health problems:

Pre-Tsunami Infection/1 year +

Health problems

Although around 40 percent of the refugees complained of diarrhea during the survey, only around 20 percent of the patients seen at the clinic register this as their chief complaint.
 
Water supply

Latrines

Measles vaccination

Child Suffering from PTSD

Child mental health
A few children have been seen at the clinic suffering from sever depression. The parents report that these children are very quiet and are afraid of water.

Basic hygiene
Basic hygiene remains a problem with scarcity of essentials.

Food
The government and local NGOs are providing rice and basic food needs. The military is in charge of distribution. After the quick needs assessment survey it was determined that fish and sugar were the immediate needs.

The government and local NGOs are providing rice and basic food needs. The military is in charge of distribution. After the quick needs assessment survey it was determined that fish and sugar were the immediate needs.