“Our work continues in the clinic with queues of patients lining up to see the doctors. Crowd control is a challenge.”

June 3, 2015 – Takukot, Nepal –  With special thanks for this contribution to Jill Allison, Logistician with Team 3!

“Our work continues in the clinic with queues of patients lining up to see the doctors. Crowd control is a challenge. We will begin some remote community outreach. We met with other organizations providing water and sanitation, child protection counselling and nutrition support. All Nepali staff and very knowledgeable. They are working with us here to cover all the challenges and ensure people get what they need to be safe and healthy.

“The government program to provide monetary compensation to everyone who lost a house was administered by the local police and army. They have finished their work and will move on to the next ward. The police are helpful and occasionally they bring their wives in for a quick consultation.”

The government program to provide monetary compensation to everyone who lost a house was administered by the local police and army. They have finished their work and will move on to the next ward. The police are helpful and occasionally they bring their wives in for a quick consultation. The large police presence in the ruined station behind our camp has now dissipated.

“We discovered a walk leading to the next village this morning and enjoyed the emerald rice paddies cascading down the hillsides on both sides of the ridge.”

We discovered a walk leading to the next village this morning and enjoyed the emerald rice paddies cascading down the hillsides on both sides of the ridge. The well is dry in this community forcing the people to walk an hour or more to the water supply in Takuakot. We walked with the women who carry water for us and were awestruck by how far uphill each drop we use must be carried. Laundry and showers will be on a “can’t stand the smell” basis only. Apologies to colleagues. 🙂 “

CMAT Team Two gathers in front of the field clinic in Baluwa, Nepal. (With local translators and driver)

May 30, 2015 – Takukot, Nepal –  With special thanks for this contribution to Jill Allison, Logistician with Team 3!

Dr. Tonia Temperley-Berg getting her heart checked, just to make sure it hasn’t completely melted yet.

“Long journey from Kathmandu to Takukot in Gorkha district. We drove for ten hours on roads that grew ever narrower, on steeper cliffs and higher up the mountainside. We passed through villages where nearly every house was a pile a rubble. We passed houses with cracks and sagging rooflines and missing backsides. We passed trees laden with flowers in front of scarred walls and crumbling porches.

And everywhere the Nepali faces are aglow with smiles . Everywhere people are rebuilding with remains of old house and stones and brick. Back breaking labour and beautiful dispositions as children shouted “Namaste!!” We came upon an impromptu market in the middle of the road as people were bargaining for sheets of corrugated metal roofing recently delivered. Eventually our driver conceded defeat and would go no further. We began an hour long walk uphill with our tents in our packs as dusk approached.

“Eventually our driver conceded defeat and would go no further. We began an hour long walk uphill with our tents in our packs as dusk approached. People with their metallic burdens destined for new rooftops laughed and joked as they made their way alongside us on the road.”

People with their metallic burdens destined for new rooftops laughed and joked as they made their way alongside us on the road. Rain threatened and thunder rolled. We arrived in the dark and made camp hastily, welcomed by the second CMAT team. After a wonderful meal of dal baht we have settled in to our little camp community. We are looking forward to the coming days. There is no sound like the thunder in the Gorkha hills.”

Paramedic Brian Taylor encouraging a young guy to take a deep breath!

CMAT Team members meet some of the local women and children.

May 20, 2015 – Canadian Medical Assistance Teams’ second team of medical volunteers recently arrived to begin their rotation in Baluwa, Nepal, relieving outgoing team 1 members returning to Canada.

CMAT has been working in the earthquake-affected region for just over 3 weeks now. Monsoon season is rapidly arriving, and the team is seeing more and more rain throughout the day.   These rains affect not only the work the team is doing, but also accessibility to the remote region.   Volunteers continue to trek up steep hillsides to villages, in order to follow up on patients needing medical care.

CMAT Team 2 goes over the day’s plans in Baluwa, Nepal

CMAT’s Team 2 members include:

• Dr. Mark Hyslop (ret.), Team Leader from Kamloops, BC
• Francois Auclair, Paramedic from Montreal, QC
• Dr. Tonia Timperley-Berg, MD from Vancouver, BC
• Dr. Hubert Chao, MD from Vancouver, BC
• Jeanette Droogendyk, RN from Hamilton, ON
• Margaret Hyslop, Mental Health from Kamloops, BC
• Narinder Johal, RN from Delta, BC
• Jennifer MacDonnell, RN from Courtenay, BC
• Deborah Mossington, RN from Langley, BC
• Jan Neuspiel, Logistics from Cumberland, BC
• Mikiko Otsuki, RN from Surrey, BC
• Brian Taylor, Paramedic from Stoney Plain, AB

CMAT Clinic in the Baluwa Valley, approximately 8 hours Northwest of Kathmandu, beyong Gorkha.

CMAT Vice Chair Kate Auger, and Team 1 Leader Teresa Berdusco in the village of Balowa conducting rapid health assessments on behalf of WHO.

Thursday May 7, 2015: CMAT Team 1 arrived in Nepal early late Sunday night, and got on the road in the early morning hours of Monday, heading for the town of Gorkha, approximately 7 to 8 hours drive northwest from Kathmandu.  Having established a solid working relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO) – led health sub-cluster based in Gorkha,  CMAT has been tasked by WHO to conduct rapid health surveillance in rural and remote communities outside of the main centre.  Currently the team is based in the village of Balowa, with a few members conducting the health assessments, and the remainder focusing on clinical care delivery.

Part of the team initially started providing health care through mobile clinics, trekking up to isolated high mountain villages by foot, as no vehicles are able to access.  In the wake of the earthquake, CMAT arrived in the region to help support the local infrastructure.  The birthing centre and health centre in the region were completely destroyed by the quake. As such, basic medical needs are not being met at this time.   CMAT’s field clinic is presently serving the needs of the community of Balowa, as well as more than 10 neighbouring villages.

The Bridge across the river when going from camp to clinic. In the monsoon season, the water becomes very high.

While CMAT team members were still seeing earthquake related injuries even up until today,  this will continue to decrease. However, the underlying primary health needs remain.  Monsoon season in its truest sense will be starting in June and the heavy rains with it brings the increased risk of communicable disease.

It has been recommended that subsequent teams which are sent by CMAT comprise of 8 to 10 primary health care providers (MD/ NP), nurses and paramedics.  We also plan to deploy members of our Behavioural Health Committee, to begin assessing and treating Mental Health and Psychosocial issues.

CMAT Field Clinic set up near the town of Balowa in rural Nepal.

The team set up the field clinic on Tuesday and started seeing between 60 and 100 patients per day.  In collaboration with the local community elders, a soccer pitch was identified which would serve as a helicopter landing zone in the event of critical emergencies requiring medi-evac. A critical patient arrived at the clinic after dark – an elderly lady with a probable hip fracture. Unfortunately, she was unable to be sent by helicopter due to the time of day, and steepness of the terrain, making a helicopter difficult to land.

The flat area is a local soccer pitch, which doubles as our Heli Pad Landing zone.
CMAT has secured helicopter air support for critical medi-evacs.

Call for ongoing Medical and Non-Medical Volunteers

Now that CMAT Team 1 has established itself on the ground, this message will detail the info we need to assemble teams for potential subsequent deployments.

Although we are looking at a potential project duration of 60 to 90 days, the situation remains fluid, and needs can change with a moment’s notice.

VERY IMPORTANT: 

1. Volunteers are responsible for the cost of their return flight to Kathmandu which is being negotiated by CMAT in partnership with several different airlines for the most competative rate.  Volunteers are encouraged to set up their own fundraising page by following the instructions found here: Set up your fundraising page on CanadaHelps.org
2. Once deployment dates are set, they are firm.  Teams must travel in and out of the field location as a group, and there will be no deviation from the set schedule permitted. This is due to the nature of the extensive road travel involved to arrive at the site (8 to 10 hours one way by road). 
3. THIS IS CONSIDERED AN EXTREME HARDSHIP MISSION.  Camp conditions are very basic. This includes using a pit latrine dug by hand, sleeping in tents on the ground on cold evenings,  purifying our drinking water, and eating locally prepared cuisine and/or Ration packages.  Everyone must pull their weight, especially around camp.  While CMAT provides some logistical supports in the field, ultimately YOU are responsible for yourself, espeically in being prepared with your own equipment and supplies. 
4. Aftershocks are a daily occurrence, and can be very unsettling to both the local community and to ourselves.   Evenings and overnights can be very cool in the outlying regions.
5. Monsoon season is approaching quickly, and daily downpours are not uncommon.  Rainproof gear and groundsheets for your tent are highly recommended. 
6. Communicable disease is VERY common, in particular gastroenteritis.  Japanese Encephalitis is endemic to the region, and while the vaccine is highly recommended, it is not mandatory at this time. 
7. The local culture is very conservative when it comes to social taboos, especially around attire.  Please pack accordingly. (i.e. in public, there are to be no short-shorts, tank tops, etc.) Additionally, there is a no-alcohol consumption policy in effect for this mission.

Even though there is a natural spring in camp, its important to purify the water before use.

**Please note: due to recent high traffic volume, our website and registration page has occasionally seen some glitches.  Please try again if you encounter an error**

UPDATED 23:00 ET

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORMVANCOUVER – CMAT will be deploying its initial disaster assessment team in collaboration with members a British Columbia Canine and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team on Monday, to respond to the earthquake which devastated Nepal early yesterday morning. An emergency appeal for donations has been launched on CanadaHelps.org to help the people of Nepal,

The Rapid Assessment part of the Team will conduct a needs assessment in the devastated areas around the capital of Kathmandu, to ascertain the level of devastation, destroyed infrastructure, and health needs of earthquake – affected persons, in order to prepare for the potential deployment of CMAT’s inflatable field hospital and volunteer medical personnel.

The Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) part of the team will use electronic and mechanical technology to locate, rescue (extricate), and medically stabilize individuals trapped in confined spaces. It is considered a “multi-hazard” discipline, as it may be needed for a variety of emergencies or disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, storms, tornadoes, and floods. The Canine Search part of the team (handler and canine) plays a critical role in structural collapse incidents. The canines locate survivors, using their incredible sense of smell to detect live human scent, even from a survivor buried deep in rubble.

Media are invited to meet with senior CMAT Board member Bill Coltart, and the CMAT Rapid Assessment Team, which consists of:

– Dr. Pat San Agustin; Emergency Physician and CMAT Director from Edmonton, AB.
– Michael Parker; Primary Care – Paramedic from Edmonton, AB.
– Dr. Don Bethune; Emergency Physician from Calgary, AB
– Kate Auger*; Emergency Nurse Practitioner and CMAT ViceChair from Collingwood, ON (team leader)
– Brandon Duncan*: Registered Nurse from London, ON.
(*both Brandon and Kate are flying separately from Toronto)

Media are also invited to meet both human and canine members of the K9 Search and Rescue Team, which will be collaborating with CMAT in this response:

– Mark Pullen, Canine Handler and Hunter, SAR Dog from Bowen Island, BC
– Norm MacLeod, Canine Handler and Scribbles, SAR Dog from Mission, BC
– Larry Watkinson, Canine Handler and Sammy**, SAR Dog from Mission, BC (**pictured below)
– Search and Rescue/ Firefighters from the Lower Mainland.
Date: Sunday, April 26, 2015
Time: 23:30pm PT – meet and greet, interview and photo opportunity.
Location: Vancouver International Airport, adjacent to Jade Canoe Sculpture

Preliminary Call for Volunteers
As the details of the destruction trickle in, CMAT it putting out a preliminary call for medical and non-medical volunteers. Depending on the findings of the assessment and USAR teams, CMAT may deploy its inflatable field hospital, and send rotations of teams. If you wish to express your interest in volunteering with CMAT, please register as a volunteer on our website at www.canadianmedicalteams.org and complete the EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM, (download here) emailed to [email protected]. Please note that volunteers are responsible for the cost of their travel, deployment is NOT confirmed, and is entirely dependant on the findings of the assessment team.