Doctors train Orang Asli to operate first ever medical post
KUALA LIPIS: The country’s first Orang Asli medical post in Pos Lenjang, about 80km from here, will become a reality within two months’ time.
It will be staffed by Orang Asli, who have undergone a basic course in handling minor emergency cases such as wounds, fractures and snake bites before the victims are taken to the nearest hospital.
Some 33 Orang Asli from Pos Lenjang and the nearby Pos Titom participated in a three-day medical training course in May, which was organised by the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM) under its “Drs For All” programme in collaboration with the Health Ministry .
One of the participants, Adrie Ghani, 27, said he learnt a lot during the course. He said prior to attending it, he did not know that it was dangerous to remove any sharp object that is embedded in the body as it could cause bleeding and even lead to death.
He recalled an incident two years ago when his brother-inlaw, Rody Jais, found himself pierced by a bamboo spike (a hunting tool) while hunting in the jungle.
“A neighbour pulled out the spike which led to a lot of bleeding. Rody was rushed to Hospital Kuala Lipis where he was warded for more than a month.
“His wound developed an infection as he did not get proper first-aid treatment and also due to the delay in reaching the hospital, which is a two-hour journey by road from our village,” he said.
The course was held at the community hall in Kampung Dayok, a village in Pos Lenjang which is populated by the Semai tribe.
FPMPAM president Dr Steven Chow said the “Drs For All” programme, which was carried out in cooperation with Hospital Orang Asli Gombak in Selangor, St. John Ambulance Malaysia and Raleigh International Kuala Lumpur, was aimed at ensuring medical services for Orang Asli.
The short course was conducted by 10 volunteer doctors and retired nurses, who stayed in the Orang Asli village and slept on the floor and bathed in the river during the duration of the course.
Dr Chow said he did not expect the course to be so well-received by the participants.
“It was wonderful to see them so interested and they asked a lot of questions too.
“They couldn’t wait to show off their skills during the practical session where they were taught the different ways of bandaging, as well as CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), which are the basic elements of emergency treatment.”
The most important thing, he said, was to ensure that they had adequate training to handle the medical post, which would be located in Kampung Dayok and manned by 14 volunteers to be picked from among the 33 participants.
The selected volunteers will attend a second training session in Kuala Lumpur and be given a final assessment before being assigned to the medical post.
When operational, it will benefit some 3,450 Orang Asli in 14 villages in Pos Lenjang and seven in Pos Titom.
Dr Chow hoped telecommunications services would be made available to Pos Lenjang in the near future so that those stationed at the post could seek advice from medical experts via teleconferencing.
During the threeday medical course, the participants were taught basic information on human anatomy and nervous system, how to assess critical signs, such as the pulse rate, and how to prevent infections.
“Their training included handling fractures, cleaning and dressing wounds, as well as how to stop bleeding. They were taught how to deal with children who have breathing difficulties or a seizure, as well as what to do if a child is down with vomiting or diarrhoea,” Dr Chow said.
In view of their jungle surroundings, attending to venomous animal bites was an important area of focus during the course, he said, adding that they were also exposed to the basics of child and maternal healthcare, as well as personal hygiene.
Dr Pearl Yong, 52, who is from Kuala Lumpur and was among the doctors who conducted the course, said the participants were easy to teach and that they would explain what they were being taught in their own language should any of them have difficulty understanding.
Another doctor, Major Dr R. Jeyaratnam, 59, who is from Kampar, Perak, said while the course was being conducted, other villagers observed them from outside.
“They have an interest in learning too. Unfortunately, they were not selected as participants.”
One of the participants Emilia Rosli, 19, said never in her dreams did she expect to pick up medical knowledge as she thought it was meant only for highly educated people.
“The medical field seems fun. I hope one day I can work at the Orang Asli hospital (in Gombak) as an assistant nurse or healthcare assistant. But for this to happen I have to learn a lot more.” she said.
The medical field seems fun. I hope one day I can work at the Orang Asli hospital (in Gombak) as an assistant nurse or healthcare assistant. But for this to happen I have to learn a lot more.
EMILIA ROSLI
Participant