In September this year Motivation Australia (MA) visited Kiribati to work with the Tungaru Rehabilitation Service (TRS) and Tungaru Central Hospital’s Diabetic Foot Clinic (DFC).
MA worked with TRS to introduce and implement a new data system within TRS. This included a review of forms, introduction of a new database and a discussion on the use of the available reporting functions. MA will continue to work with TRS to expand the database to meet other data and reporting needs of the services Physiotherapy team. The data should provide personnel and managers with valuable data to provide to hospital and health service managers, donors and partners.
MA’s Katrina also had the opportunity to accompany TRS personnel Akoaki, Tebakaro and Makei as they reviewed, assessed, fit and followed up wheelchair, prosthetic and orthotic users within the service and within their homes. Transport within Kiribati is particularly difficult for people with a disability. Through their outreach and home visits, the TRS personnel are able to help people overcome a major barrier to their ability to access mobility device services.
The Kiribati DFC has now been running for six months. The personnel continue to provide great services to clients, however referral numbers are less than planned. During the visit MA was able to facilitate activities with medical and nursing personnel to provide training on prevention, early identification and referral pathways for clients with diabetic foot complications. It is hoped these activities will increase the number of appropriate referrals to the DFC.
MA’s work with TRS is made possible with support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP). The work with the DFC is a partnership between the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and MA, with funding support by the Australian Government and the Latter-day Saint Charities (LDSC).