An Australian-led medical outreach has delivered vital healthcare services to communities in Nabila, with more than 300 assessments and over 30 surgical procedures completed in just five days.
Led by Leena Zhou, the Nabila Medical Outreach is now in its third year and continues to expand its impact in rural Fiji.
Dr Zhou, a general practitioner, surgeon and yoga instructor, said this year’s outreach was particularly meaningful, describing it as “intense, driven and purposeful”.
“Another successful outreach with my team of incredible volunteers, all of whom wore their hearts on their sleeves,” she said.
The team, which included five doctors, two surgeons, five nurses, a physiotherapist, speech pathologist, medical student and support staff, worked closely with villagers and government health teams during the programme.
“We worked harmoniously with Nabila village and the Fiji Government who were conducting HIV tests,” Dr Zhou said.
Despite challenging weather conditions, she said the outreach achieved a sense of unity and progress.
“Through the drenching sweat and inexorable heat, I feel a strange lightness that I haven’t felt in previous years,” she said.
“We’ve created a positive change for the Nabila community and finally found flow within our team dynamics in the delivery of world-class healthcare.”
The outreach recorded 260 health assessments in Nabila Village and 47 on Namotu Island, along with 31 surgical cases, seven home visits and a school visit.
Dr Zhou said the initiative had grown significantly over the years and continued to change lives.
“I feel like a proud auntie, witnessing the growth of this little seedling project that has had life-changing impacts on people’s lives,” she said.
She also acknowledged the support of donors, volunteers and partners, including Namotu Island, for sustaining the outreach programme.
