The team arrived safely in Tenom, Sabah for their medical camp. They had their first camp at Kg Enubai, seeing 169 patients which was more than expected. The next day they travelled on a hazardous muddy road to Kg Inura and saw 231 patients there. The final camp was in Kg Nalosone where they saw another 231 patients, for a total of 613 patients seen over the 3 day camp. The team worked hard under hot conditions to provide medical, dental and eye care to remote villagers who greatly appreciated the services.

1. 1st MPCAM Sabah Medical Camp
7th – 11th March 2018
TENOM here we come

2. The team on arrival. We landed safely on flight AK 5108. Dr Khaartheek ( man in the
center ) came on the flight with us, so that we have enough luggage. He had to fly
back to KLIA2 as he had urgent family matters to attend to. We are so grateful to him
for his sacrifice, to come out and go back, just to see us through.

3. On the way to chicken rice at Pututan, drop Khaartheek, and then to
cross Crocker Range. We-fie by Janar, from the front of van.

4. Strangely. It was 12 noon in the afternoon as we climbed Crocker Range, yet a
mist followed us up the mountain, for most of the way. I could not
understand why? The last time I saw this mist on Crocker range was at 6 pm
on my first trip to deep Sabah.

5. At the 16th Mile of Keningau-Kimanis Road, the mist cleared and we took another group
photo. Nice view.

6. We reach the first Camp site at Kg Enubai, at about 3.30 pm ( even after stopping in
Tenom to try the famous “Tenom Coffee”. The traffic all the way was good. The
driver, being new, over shot the Camp site. He failed to recognise the “bottle hijau”.
We learn that in Sabah, if you wish to identify your house, you put up a pole with the
bottle hijau, to indicate the location of your house.

7. The Camp site, marked by these banners, set up by our logistics
partner, Impian Sabah. I was told that this Camp site was plan C. The
previous agreed Campsite was denied us a the last moment, and also
the alternative. We are getting use to this treatment.

8. When we arrived, the Ketua Rumah welcomed us and the ladies brought us
cakes and refreshment. They were very hospitable. We also had to wait for our
luggage which came separately in a pick up.

9. In the stopover in Tenom, we also
bought biscuits and balloons as gifts
to the children. So with time to while
away, the team members are busy
blowing balloons and keeping the kids
company.

10. Dinner together with the
ketua kampong and Tuan
rumah. The dishes were
delicious.

11. Time for dinner. The food was
delicious. Some of us had to
restrain ourselves for
“various” reasons. This was
day 1 of our journey.

12. The clinic always starts from the first station, the diagnostic station.
Nurse Masryah and Oscar, busy at work.

13. Would you believe it, some patients were already here waiting for us
from the night before. We met some of them, after our dinner last
night. Dr Janar and Dr Thong are busy at work.

14. For this Camp, I was the eye station head, so had to do many many tumbling E
Snellen’s chart. By now, the Camp was in full swing and the zinc roof was taking a
heavy toll on our energy as the sun was strong.

15. The pharmacy manned by Dr Tan and Dr Wong. The stock run out very
fast. We were told to expect about 90-100 patients as there were 40
homes in this Kampong, but 169 turned up. So some medication ran out.
Had to go Tenom to top up.

16. One for the album, before we leave Kg Enubai, and the nice people, I
have to call this a miss because, we had run out of certain drugs, and
so I had to make emergency plans to purchase additional drugs rom
Tenom town.

17. The route from Kg Enubai to Kg Inura was hazardous. Impian packed
us into a van ( obviously not meant for these type of roads. The roads
were essentially mud harden timber tracks. We were on these mud
tracks for 90-120 mins. Some of the crevices on the mud track were
deep. I was worried. Thank God, we arrived safely.

18. This is the view of the Kg Inura Campsite the next morning. When we
arrived at about 8.30 pm. It was dark.

19. This was the sight that greeted us when we arrived at Kg Inura, at
about 8.30 pm following a very rough and hazardous journey. Food
and drinks. We were so tired. The unique thing about this big hall is
the bamboo flooring. I was wondering why? Why bamboo?

20. Tired and hungry, waiting for dinner to begin. One or two even had
motion sickness because of the whobbly journey.

21. The walk to our living quarters among the kampong house. Very
decent. The toilets are also very decent. Thank God. The next morning
when I was sick, good toilets really helped me. That is us, the next
morning walking to start Camp

22. Our living quarters. Males
in the hall, ladies in the two
rooms. Toilets outside and
one set, about 2 mins walk
away.
The next morning after a
good rest, this area also
served as the breakfast
area, before we start Camp.
They were so hospitable.

23. Some walk to Camp site 5 mins away. Others like the novelty of riding on
a lorry. Just for fun

24. I was battling severe food poisoning. I thought a short walk may
help.

25. City slickers, all on top of the lorry. Carrot is waiting to set off

26. The Campsite was perched on top of the hill. It was overlooking the
kampong. The view of the Kampong was quite nice. I was wondering
how the Kampong folks get their daily supplies. The journey here form
Tenom was long and hazardous. Not for the faint hearted. There were
about 200 families here. So we expect a busy Camp.

27. Getting Camp ready again. The standard formula. Many are now experts
at it. minimal supervision. Looks like I will be out of a job soon. Good.
The patients have come from the kampong early and they are patiently
waiting.

28. Almost ready to start. The patients at the right hand corner waiting
patiently. It was almost 9 am.

29. The team. The fabulous 9. They worked so well together,
covering each other. GP helping pharmacy when they are free. GPs
helping eye as I was half sick at this Camp following severe food
poisoning. Good spirit. Good teamwork.

30. Notice the zinc roof. But the heat that the roof produce is partially
negated by the bamboo flooring, making the condition for us, more
bearable.

31. They came in droves and we attended to them. It was hot at 1 pm. But
the fan helps and we managed.

32. The dentist were sharp. Seeing the zinc roof, they bargain for a
place near the windows, for light and ventilation.

33. And the dentists worked
hard. Hardly had time to sit
down.

34. Camp in progress. GPs working hard. And it is hot.

35. By the time 4 pm came, we had seen 239 patients. Under very hot
conditions.

36. At this Camp we were equipped with hand held and tablet enabled
cardiac and abdominal ultrasound ( on loan ). Dr Janar did the abdomen
and I used the cardiac probe. They both worked well. The image were
are so clear.

37. Come 4 pm, It was time to pack up and move to the next Camp,
Kg Nalosone. 239 patients is not a bad day’s work. Well done
team.

38. Dr Ganesh saying TQ to the Tuan Rumah and his assistant.

39. Getting out of Kg Inura, across the narrow, one lane bridge and to the
mud track to Kg Nalosone.

40. It was getting dark as we headed out to Kg Nalosone.

41. It was getting dark and we had some water buffaloes for
company on the way.

42. We arrived at Kg Nalosone at about 7 pm. It was dark. This is our
living quarters. It is actually the residential hall of the church for
their trainees.

43. We arrived to a welcoming tea. Then freshen up, then dinner.

44. This is the church, next to the residential hall.

45. I woke up early. My natural clock. This is kg Nalosone at 5.30 am. The
cockerels crow were very distant. This is the morning scene. Of course,
you get up early for bathing and washing up without queues.

46. As I pass the kitchen to the bathroom, the fire was burning hot and
the porridge was being cooked. The ladies were up way before me.
They were so hospitable.

47. It was a cold and chilly morning. So nice near the fire.

48. These are the unsung hardworking heroes in the background who
took great care of us. They really showed us great hospitality.

49. A good meal before the day
begins. The two pots in front
of me are porridge. One vege
porridge ( bigger pot ) and
one meat porridge. They were
both very nice, I am told. I
tried the meat porridge.

50. The team together before the start of the Camp, including the Impian
volunteers.

51. They gathered about 1 hour before opening of clinic. Right after
our breakfast, they move to the canopy, where we had our
breakfast.

52. The two GPs of course saw the bulk of the patients. They were kept
busy throughout the day.

53. The two dentists were busy as usual. But please notice the zinc roof.
They were in a sauna, essentially. We had to give them fans, water, and
breather every now and then. Conditions were tough.

54. Because the reading glasses were so popular, I decided to split the eye
station into two. Do reading glasses check before the Snellen’s. Dr Tan
was a great help. She was part time in Pharmacy and part time
helping to test for reading glasses.

55. Yes, we still do the Snellen’s tumbling E. It was still quite popular. I
had to work quite hard here, but not as hard as in Kg Enubai. “Kaki di-
mana?” Remember?

56. As the Camp was closing, I tried out the handheld echocardiogram
on an Impian volunteer. His heart is normal. The pictures on the
tablet were superb. As good as my big machine in my Subang clinic.

57. The pharmacy having a break and the dentist taking a breather from
the sauna. It is OK. In Kg Nalosone, we saw 231 patients, Not bad for a
day’s work.

58. I found a donor who gave us 500 toothbrushes as door gifts for all.
Here the kids are receiving them from the pharmacy.

59. There was also time to relax and play with the children.
Especially after all the patients were seen and waiting for tea.

60. After a hard day’s work, the tea and kueh. They were nice. Just to
much Carbs for me. Dr Ganesh thanking the “tukang masak”.

61. See the varieties of kueh’s that they prepared, and also fruits, for
tea break? They were so hospitable.

62. And this is the gentleman who donated this large plot of land for the
Church and residential hall. The whole complex. I forget his name. Sorry.
He is the head of the church committee. Here he is thanking us for our
visit.

63. I took a few minutes to thank the folks of Kg Nalosone for having us
and also apologise for any hurt caused by us, intentionally or even
unintentionally.

64. After tea, short speeches,
then dinner. Basically, eat,
work eat eat.

65. After the short talks, dinner. Sumptous dinner.

66. After Kg Nalosone, the next stop is Keningau and then home. All
tired, but in good spirits

67. Once in Keningau, it is freshen up and night market for shopping.

68. The next morning, it is off to cross the Crocker range and then KK
airport, then home.

69. The Keningau – Kimanis road is quite familiar now. We have a
speedster for a driver. Just my kind of driver.

70. On the way to KK, we saw a bus skidded and turn on its side. We
stopped for a while and made sure that no one was seriously hurt. The
passer by assured us that the ambulance and bomba had been called.
We could see petrol slicks on the road. We carried on our way.

71. The usual pit stop on way down hill.

72. After 4 days together, it is time to go home to our own locale. Dr Teoh
had left earlier. Dr Wong is bound for Tawau, and the rest back to KLIA
2. I was a great time together. A big THANK YOU to one and all for a
job well done.

73. Camp Site Age Gender BMI (kg/m2) Glucometer ( mmol/L )
< 12 13 –
65
>
65
Male Femal
e
No
Gende
r
< 20 20 – 24 25. – 30 > 30 No value < 5.6 5.6 - 7.0 >7.0 No
value
Kg Inubai
28 119 14 59 101 2 15 52 39 20 42 71 40 17 40
Kg Tinura 74 137 16 104 124 0 13 63 58 14 97 72 56 21 96
Kg
Nalunsou
n
37 184 8 83 145 0 22 48 75 37 57 77 53 50 59
Total 139 440 38 246 370 2 50 163 172 71 196 220 149 88 195
Camp Site GP Eye Screening Dental Screening Dental extractions
Kg Inubai 161 92 47 38
Kg Tinura 227 60 57 72
Kg Nalunsoun
225 123 79
54
Total 613 275 183 164
Statistics