Nepal earthquake mission - Part 5

Back to the mission..

The first day in Sankhu was memorable. We had a huge task which was to upstart run our clinic; which will be the backbone of our field hospital. Mind you, this is the first time in Mercy Malaysia's history we will be setting up the full capacity of ERU's fienld hospital. However, the 3 big guns, Dr Heng (mission leader), Yati and Pak Hapis will not be on the ground. All of them were going off to Kathmandu; having to settle a lot of coordination and logistic issues. We were left to survive the day. So there we were, Guna, me, Matron Anita & Angeline to main the fort.I was thankful that my brother together with Boiy and Harith made their way to our place at midnight. Their role was vital in the success running of the first day in action.

The first task was to erect our Utilies tents. These will be the core of our field hospital. Mr Guna was in his element; gathering the local volunteers who in a way had no other thing to do then to help us. They were a good dedicated lot. A number of them is still with us, helping us till date. Mr Guna's task is vital as he needs to ensure everything running, generator that runs the electricity and also water supply. Clean water was a big issue in the village as all the basic amenities were not functioning. May i remind you about my toilet visits.. haha 

Within a short fraction of time, the inital 2 tents were up! Kudos Mr Guna! Quickly we were in there starting to arrange the necessary for the clinic arrangement. We were lucky that we had the presence of 2 local doctors wh were there. One, as she was too affected by the quake and the other from NSET. Aliff was setting up his pharmacy side and the rest completing the set up. Initially, the clinic was supposed to be up after lunch but at 11am, We had people queing up already! This was because, it was near to lunch time where the community there would cook for the whole village to eat. It was a mere 10m from where we were! ! I had no choice but to start the ball rolling eventhough the team was not yet ready! How could i turn away a small baby!

our first patient 7 months old baby

 Security was an issue as people keep barging in to see whats going on. I was lucky Meng was there to man the gate. It was chaotic but the experience was interesting. We have practiced this during ERU simulation and it is different handling it in reality. We were blessed with the presence of few local lads who had helped to translate as well as to maintain order. 

the line for food

the busy team

It was in the chaotic moment of patients that the WHO team from Kathmandu came to visit us. They were the inspectors of relief and expressed their gratitude and upmost commendation for Mercy Malaysia's effort. Mr Guna was experienced enough to source clean water from them. It was help at its best. We had another visitor too, the rep from the Singaporean army who looked impressed with our set up. He thought he was there and to see our facility erected significantly, priceless. :) 

                                          discussion with the WHO team
And at about 1230pm, it poured. Heavy rain ala Malaysia! People ran away for cover as they were not allowed by our sentry to enter the OPD camp. Habis banjir! Yup..we were seeing patients with water rising slowly! Mr Guna saw this and took his boys to settle it by creating diverting drains. It was in the rain that they did that.. Kudos Mr Guna! SInce people fled, I decided that we should close the clinic for a while for lunch. I could see all team members were drained instateneously during that rush hour. I dont think we had proper breakfast before we start work that day. We joined in the queue! Haha.. Dal Bhat at its best :)

banjir!

caught in action haha 

It was a chaotic but certainly satisfactory day. We ran the clinic in the afternoon till quite late as it was difficult to turn away the patients who came to see us. Earthquake related matters were the main cases we saw that day. It was my first time handling it, especially as CMO bidan terjun for the first time on Ground Zero's first day. The locals were certainly a helpful lot and friendship created was memorable. At the end of the day, I was proud to see our facility erected, it was just a small fraction of the full set up but i was very proud. Being part of this.. Insha Allah. 

the set up

Ground zero team (Pak Hapis tak muat haha)

Nepal Earthquake mission - The beauty of Sankhu

Every morning when i woke up in Sankhu, it was refreshing. Somehow, sleeping here was more fulfilling and satisfactory. I will wake up fresh and ready to go. I am not sure was it because of the fresh oxygen from the natural hill surroundings, excellent weather or was it because i was away from my daily routine of life? The view is superbly outstanding. Sunrise, sunset.. Nepal landscape is a winner. I fell in love with Nepal once and it stayed that way forever. A reminiscence of that feeling while in Sankhu.

(Credit for the beautiful pictures to insta: routexplorer & boiynadz - both were our volunteers there. The picture they caught brought lots of serene memories of Sankhu as the pictures depicted what i saw and experienced)

                                          a favourite realtime view

                                         when night beckons

                                         wheat field

                                         lunch & dinner line

Nepal earthquake mission - Part 4

Ittapole, Sankhu. 15km off Kathmandu. According to Wkipedia, this used to be a famous city as it was a stopping area for the famous Tibet-Kathmandu route. It was apparently the area where the former prime minister of Nepal was from and still the representative.

Sankhu was the off Katrhmandu city which was badly affected. As per NSET assessment, that was Mercy Malaysia's field hospital destination. We were off quite late in the evening. The way there was not straight forward. I was jumping up and down at the back of the lorry during the journey. It was raining that evening, it looked gloomy on our way there. 

We witnessed the destruction of the earthquake as we proceed to Sankhu. The roads were cracked, buildings which became rubbles. It was certainly a different Kathmandu from what i experienced in 2013.The current generation had never felt or experience how an earthquake would be. Imagine, the last one being 80 years ago. 

 The army truck brought us to a school compound, and the school was pink in colour! Most of the villagers who had lost their homes are taking shelter there. Our arrival was received warmly by the displaced villager,  a constant trait of the Nepalis which registered in my mind till now. We were lucky to have the Nepali army guys to help us unload, it was amazingly a lot! We managed to have the lot on the mid ground, and it was drizzling. It was superbly cold by our Malaysian standards. But not surprising, since we were at at least 1400m above sea level. 

 The people were really friendly and it helps when a number of them are able to speak in Malay as they've worked before in the country. We joined their communal dinner, as they made a point to cook for everyone who were taking shelter in the school compound. From what i can remember, at least 15 families. 

It was a cold and wet night. We were given two classrooms to fit the 7 of us. The camp beds were opened and it was more comfy than spending the night on the cement floor. I was lucky i brought my sleeping bag and my jackets. It helped a lot and i was reminded of my dreadful EBC trek trip haha At about 3am, we had an aftershock experience. Everybody was awaken by the movement it made. However according to the 5 second rule we did not need to flee from the classroom! It was amazingly scary and i cannot imagine how one would feel with a bigger magnitude shock. 

The morning was beautiful. I woke up early because the sun rose early. It was beautiful to witness the landscape of outskirts of Kathmandu. Around us were the paddy and wheat fields. We were surrounded by few building which were still standing but a short walk further revealed the utter destruction. The wrath of god. Subhanallah. Malaysia is lucky to be not disaster prone and may Allah not punish us with one in the near future. 

Nepal earthquake mission - Part 3

We boarded the C130 early that morning, by 5am we were all set to leave Kalkota. We saw 2 other Charlies, but both were Singapores. No movement from them meaning their departure would be much later from us. 

Despite the reassurance about our landing rights , we had doubts and I will only be thankful when we reach Kathmandu airport safely. We were then delayed 1 hours circling around Kathmandu airport before we had the clearance to land. The suspicion of being directed back to where we came from was possible. Luckily today, it was only about 2 hours plus we were in C130. The 6 + hours flight from KL to Kalkota was an expereince to remember!!

The scene at the Kathmandu airport was as real as it gets. I remembered how in Kelantan it looked like really we are in the movies, this time around.. lagi Waah.. as international air forces from all around the world were flocking the airport. The US army, Israeli, Indian.. a number of big countries sending their SAR team to help the Nepali government. It was a scene "textbook" from the movies. I felt overwhelmed. All our stuff was then unloaded. Mercy Malaysia's stuff pun banyak gile. Wow.. this are our assets. Thanks to the SMART boys, we were able to have it done in a jiff. 

 Dr Heng divided us into 3. Dr Heng and Yati to report at the coordination centre, Pak Hapis to be with our stuff together with the SMART team and myself, the reinforcement from on the ground crew; looking for Aliff and his volunteers from KE7B just outside the airport. The atmosphere was havoc, as many foreign rescue teams with their uniform and stuffs in the airport. We reported ourselves at the UN counter and was told to go to few different places on coordination. We did not really have a plan and honestly, Dr Heng himself was unsure where will we be spending the night. And we were set.. to somehow just find a way. The big plan was to meet up sometime later.. where? nobody knows.. haha

 I managed to find my brother and Aliff. I was then introduced to Boiy and Harith who would be our invaluable help in the near future. It was chaotic, the scene outside the airport. People were stranded - looking for a flight to get back home. I could see tents being set up all around the compound. I guess it was because of the aftershocks, nobody felt safe being in a building.

Aliff and I had an adventure of a lifetime that afternoon. We were made to run around Kathmandu because of some miscommunication. The one positive thing aboutit was, wearing the Mercy Malaysia vest we were treated well. Its all because of Mercy Malaysia's reputation in the relief NGO circle. There were few intenaces when bigshot foreigners came to us to introduce themselves praising Mercy Malaysia and of course, Dr Jemilah.
We were made to enter the UN compound headquarters; looking for our team members when they were not even there! Haha I actually made the UN OHCA coordinator (cant remember her name) doubting her own knowledge about the compound as i was confident that my team members were there. It was really funny thinking about it now. The positive side about that incident that day was I amde the whole UN aware of MERCY MALAYSIA's presence! Hahahaha 

Pak Hapis thought he was in UN OHCA when in fact it was not. I even asked the UN OHCA Health coordinator about the whereabouts of my team and of course, he had absolutely no idea who i was talking about! hahahaha

We then regrouped at the designated SAR teams home base near the airport. This was where our SMART team were with our stuff! We met up with Dr Heng and Yati here, and were told to be deployed a village about 20km away from Kathmandu downtown. It was getting dark, and together with 6 Nepali soldiers we then went off to our designated area. It was dark and gloomy, i felt cold due to the rain. Subhanallah, the adventure begins.. 

Nepal earthquake mission - Part 2

I was informed by Ain quite late evening about the departure plans. I was wondering how were we expected to fly to Nepal when the Kathmandu airport was currently closed. All flights in and out was cancelled. I was then informed that the Mercy Malaysia team will depart with the SMART, RED CROSS & army from TUDM Subang airport. This will be my second time boarding  Charlie C130 after Kelantan early this year. But for a 6 hours flight ? oohh.. 

We were told to assemble in TUDM Subang at 4am. I had Azad to help me which luckily he was free to do so. I packed that night to the minimum that i could thought off, all for outdoor and survival type of travel. I was told to expect the worse and Insha Allah, I am quite alright with that. I had shivers in my spine.. seriously my first time on a ground zero mission. 

 When i arrived at the TUDm Subang, as usual there were issues with the guard. It was not too long before i met with the other team members. It was good to see some famiiar faces, but none was going! Kak Nita, Angie, Pak Hapis, Guna, Yati and of course our team leader, Dr Heng. 

At the same time, I managed to get in touch with my friend, Aliff who was in KAthmandu. Coincidentally, he was with the KE7B team which had to cancel their expedition plans. Apparently, he was a miassive help during Mercy's mission in Kelantan that Pak Hapis requested if it was possible for Aliff to join our team. Aliff of course did not hesitate and we were to meet at the airport when tomorrow comes.

Before leaving Malaysia, we had to take our jabs.. 3 in one shot as per required by the army since we are going to a third world country haha I took it in my stride but it was funny to witness how the docs themselves tried to avoid the vaccinations that were supposed to protect us during the mission. 

Getting on the C130 was exciting - as this time around i was in THE Malaysia rescue team to Nepal. The SMART fellas were looking smart and determined. I had goosebumps when the flight took off. May Allah protect all of us in this journey. The flight was not too bad, I managed to get some sleep despite the discomfort. But since macam dah mengantuk..ok je tido haha

 After 6 hours we were scheduled to land in Kalkota. Unfortunately, we did not get the clearance to land in Kathmandu that day. The pilots were negotiating but to avail. Later i got to know, our Airasia contact in India sought the help of the Malaysian Embassy in India to help negotiate with the Nepali government. We were stranded for 5 hours on the tarmac in Kalkota airport! Beat that! haha 

Later, we were told that we had to spend the night in Kalkota because we were only cleared to land i nKAthmandu the next morning. What can we do can't we? I have learnt, along my past missions.. one the requirement is to have patience.. lots of it! I remembered how Dr Essam with his smiling face telling us.. "Patience.. brother.. patience.. this is all god's will"

Well, we were then escorted to a hotel in Kolkata and I will always remember the 2 LOUD n CLEAR incidents with Dr Heng.. haha tak bule cerita la.. ni cerita utk team sahaja.. but something i thought it would be of a good trait to apply in my future missions:)

Nepal earthquake Mission - Part 1

It was a normal Saturday afternoon. I was on my way back from the book signing session in PABKL.

When something as big as this happened, the social media will go on frenzy mode. My contacts who were with the humanitarian groups were the first to post on this disaster. Immediately i switched on to CNN when i got back home. 

It was confirmed. Nepal just had their biggest earthquake since the 1930s. A Richter scale of 7.9 (when it was first reported on the news). wow.. that is big and i can imagine the destruction! Kathmandu and Nepal was dear to me as I fell in love with the Himalayas during my trip to Everest Base Camp in 2013.

And from that moment, i was glued on the tv screen as well as browsing throught the facebook entries, looking for updates. I knew of a Malaysian team were off to do a cycling expedition in Annapurna. The epicenter of this earthquake was near to Pokhara and I can only pray then that they were alright.

Papa msg me that night telling that Meng is there when it happened. My brother who was travelling from Tibet. Nothing much was disclosed as it was just a short call and sms to tell my dad he was alright but he had lost everything. Papa was worried and it made me wonder.. as he was travelling alone.

The next day I was in the MSA meeting and somehow ended up into the Exco for 2015 haha Well, since you are there and nominated why not. I've not been a committee member for quite sometime back. And it was then, i received an sms,

My heart went racingly wild. Honestly, I answered straight away without much ado. No thinking was involved, almost reflex. And i thought.. wooo.. and what about all i have arranged and my commitments? 

Disclosing this mission to my wife and family members were only after I have sorted out my things with my working colleagues and friends. 

This will be my first time, stepping into the unknown. Ground zero of Disaster.

#DIAgnosis2 book signing in PABKL (the one i attended)

 #DIAgnosis2 publisher: Whitecoat enterprise did not really have a booth in this Book Fair, mainly because they were only recently formed. The booths are usually sold out, you need to book it way ahead. PABKL is the biggest bookfair in Malaysia and in having recently attended this year's edition, I can see why all publishers are keen to be involved in this carnival of books galore.

We were lucky that 2 distributors, MPH online and Deens Print were kind enough to have a signing session at their booth. Both were the distributors of DIAgnosis2 and Alhamdulillah the sale during this book fair was excellent! I was excited and at the same time anxious, as i would not know whether we do really have fans out there who will come in throngs to get our signature! 

 I only attended the first session, on a Saturday afternoon. The traffic was horrible, parking was nowhere and i could see people in masses coming tothis book fair. Upon arriving at our station, i could see people were already waiting for us. Huhu risaunya.. Ben and Din could not attend because of their commitment to work as this particular session was not really planned to happen. Alhamdulillah, MPH was kind enough to give us the slot and it was worth the wait.

 Thank you very much to DIAgnosis2 fans who came and waited patiently for us. It was such a pleasant experience seeing people appreciating your ideas in writing. Insha Allah, this will spur the team to move forward and perhaps writing up more goodies for all of ya!

Kids in PABKL 2015

I brought the kids to PABKL and i guess this was their first time in the biggest book fair in Malaysia. Honestly, I have not been to one voluntarily for the past 10 years, except a few times when we were brought by the book vendors for UiTM library purposes. This time around, Diagnosis2 team had a book signing session for our fans. Why not bring the kids to see what is happening out out there.

 It was jammed packed. I guess this is how it has been for so long that i did not even bother to come and attend. Parking is crap, everything is wrong for the big crowd but nothing beats the atmosphere of 10 thousands of people in the massive crowd! Especially PWTC.. How can you beat the experience in PWTC? This was the first time too there were here, so i brought them to see the potraits of our previous prime ministers. 

We had fun.As the kids looked for their own reading materials, as usual Qaisya has always been keen to fill in her inquisitive brain. I wished we could have spent more time and i was thinking of coming again but fate had it that i was to go somewhere else! (will be revealed in the coming post).

Towards Hajj 2015/1436

Wow.. it has been almost a month since i last blogged. There were so many things that has happened, and I will share with you what has been going on. It has been an interesting period. I have certainly learnt a lot. I find all these insha Allah will contribute to my preparation for Hajj. We continue to learn and it is not easy to purify yourself to god in the coming journey.

 I may not have attended 100% of my Kursus Asa Haji on Sundays, due to work commitments and other stuffs but Alhamdulillah, it was an eye opener. Despite having learnt all of it in school before, it it is not the same. I now understand how life maturity can change a lot of things. The hajj journey is a total body and soul experience. I believe that what is inside is important, and that is the thing you would want god to see; your sincerity and total submission.

 We had our set of practicals in Kelana Jaya, the organizer did it well for us to experience the doings. A mock Kaabah and set up for jamrah was done. I was myself dressed in ihram which i have not don since i was 16 years of age. Waa.. memang terasa dekat betul nak gi haji! There are few more courses to attend, Intensive Course, Grand Course.. Insha Allah, all will be helpful. I just have to find the time to juggle in between my work commitment and attending these. 

Insha Allah.. May Allah easen my journey. It will be in a few months time, and to maintain the intention is a challenge.