We were taken to the Ward to see the newest arrival. It seemed important and had an sense of urgency. When we went to the room we could see a young man in serious condition. Jurambi is 21 years old and has an unknown illness. It was a little early to know because he had just arrived and was being diagnosed. He was malnourished and very weak. He looks like someone with AIDS. The Doctor was doing tests and asking the questions about contracting HIV.His parents had brought him to the Ward. We spoke to them and it just seemed like they had no more options. Jurambi had been working in West Papua for a couple years. He began to get sick while he was there. They wanted answers but needed a miracle. I thought how hopeless this must feel for them. They were poor and had waited until he was near death to bring him into the Ward. This is not uncommon for the sick to come to our clinic when they have allowed their illness to progress to a very serious point. He was receiving 24 hour care and had improved slightly in a few days.
Medical care can be very difficult at the ends of the earth due to the serious condition of patients when they arrive at our clinic. They are poor and even the transportation costs can be a more than they can afford. There are many remote islands that require the sick to travel in small boats in open ocean waters. The storm seasons make the already daunting travel even more dangerous. Then there is superstition which can be an obstacle to getting help soon enough. These families are desperate and sometimes rely on witchdoctors to cure their loved ones. The challenges facing medical workers in these remote regions can be monumental. It is never a question of the concern or love of a family for their sick or injured loved ones--it is how many obstacles are in the way to getting them to help.
