Forget Me Not Project Handover and Delivery

We held the handover for the Forget Me Not project this week. 

 Semisi Finau (biomedical engineer), Faka'osilea Kaufusi (LDS Welfare country manager), Dr Siale 'Akauola (CEO), Sister and Elder Thomson, Dr Sa'ale Lemisio (Senior Medical Officer), Dr Lisiate Ulufonua (Medical Superintendant)), Fusi Kaho (senior nurse)

Sample of equipment donated by LDS Charities

Report of Forget Me Not Project

Shortly after we arrived in Tonga we came across a file titled “Forget Me Not” submitted by Semisi Finau, biomedical engineer.  We loved the project! We called Semisi and begun the process to write a project. 

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death in Tonga, according to the World Health Organization. The Minstry of Health (MOH) has stressed the importance and impact of Universal Health Coverage. The idea is to ensure that minimal health care standards are available and accessible to all people regardless of where they live, so that no one is left behind. 

In coming up with a title for this project, Semisi thought of an exert from a talk given in General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in October 2011 by President Dieter F. Uchdorf as follows.



"A while ago I was walking through a beautiful garden with my wife and daughter. I marveled at the glory and beauty of God's creation. And then I noticed, among all the glorious blooms, the tiniest flower. I knew the name of this flower because since I was a child I have had a tender connection to it. The flower is called forget-me-not. I'm not exactly sure why this tiny flower has meant so much to me over the years. It does not attract immediate attention; it is easy to overlook among larger and more vibrant flowers; yet it is just as beautiful, with its rich color that mirrors that of the bluest skies -- perhaps this is one reason why I like it so much. And then there is the haunting plea of its name. There is a German legend that just as God finished naming all the plants, one was left unnamed. A tiny voice spoke out, "Forget me not, O Lord!" And God replied that this would be its name."   


This story fit the purpose of the project. Forget me Not was chosen as the project title because we aim to forget not the people of the outer islands.

The Forget Me Not Project will allow the people all over Tonga to have better access to treatment. Currently there are 14 health centers and 34 reproductive and health clinics across Tonga. Some of these health centers are far away and very isolated. The Forget Me Not project equipment will assist the doctors, health officers, and nurses for better management and treatment of diabetes and other NCDs in these areas.

The people in the outer islands have been hampered in obtaining this care in the past because of travel expenses and time necessary for travel. There also exists a fear of going to the hospital, but not so much to the clinic, so having the equipment in the health centers will help more patients to obtain the care they need. 

Vaini Community Health Center Delivery

Semisi Finau setting up nebuilizer

'Isoa and Sione Fa'avae putting equipment together

 
    

Dr Sa'ale Lemisio (senior medical officer)

Sione 'Ulufonga, health officer

We provided basic medical equipment to clinics including glucometer and strips, BP monitor, pulse oximeter,  ECG machine, vascular and baby doppler, infant CPAP machine, manual resuscitator, adult scales, nebulizer, ophthalmoscope, & laryngoscope. 





It is hard to believe the clinics were able to operate without this basic equipment. 

Semisi told us that the WHO (World Health Organization) has approached him about this same project, but are willing to expand upon our Forget Me Not equipment. This makes me so happy. The people in the distant villages of Tongatapu and the outer islands are being blessed with new medical equipment and thus will receive better care.