• HIV AIDS awareness project
Background : Aids is a world wide epidemic and sadly it is here on Bali as well with the vast majority of cases being in the north of our island.
It is quite difficult to obtain accurate numbers for aids patients but the most statistics indicate that the number of cases on Bali at around 3,000 with 90% of cases being cause by sexual transmitted. Because the majority of the sufferers are not well educated and from poor social economical backgrounds the figures in fact could be much greater as so many cases go undiagnosed. According to local HIV/AIDS organizations the most successful way to prevent the spread of this disease is via education.
Current situation. The Lovina based Australian charity Bali Hearts in cooperation with the Yayasan Citra Usadha are working together on devising educational programs for both schools and village communities in an endeavour to spread their message. Rotary Club of Bali Lovina is now committed to support an ongoing campaign to senior high school children within the Buleleng Regency.
Future plans. The Rotary Club of Bali Lovina plans to sponsor more HIV/ AIDS awareness educational programs.
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| education in villages through traditional 'genjeks' |
Staff and volunteers from Yayasan Citra Usadha Indonesia handing out brochures as part of the Aids Awareness Campaign |
• Cataract and hare lip/cleft palate operations
Background: In 1994 Rotary Clubs of Bali in a joint program with Rotary Clubs from Perth , West Australia raised funds for a mobile clinic to perform cataract operations.
Very soon the program grew too large and in1999, at the initiative of The Perth Clubs the John Fawcett Foundation was established to continue the work.
The John Fawcett Foundation is based in Sanur, Bali . For their operations they use facilities at the Australian Government funded Eye Hospital . In 2003, two new mobile clinics went on the road, especially to work in outlying areas including the Northern parts of Bali .
Cleft palate operations; The Ubud based “Yayasan Senyum” helps children with craniofacial abnormalities. The majority of operations are carried out at RSUP ( Sanglah Hospital ). Patients who present with serious conditions and that need a higher level of treatment than is currently available locally are sent to the Australian Craniofacial Unit in Adelaide , for surgery by Professor David.
Current situation The Rotary Club of Bali Lovina works as “spotters” for the John Fawcett Foundation. When people present with symptoms of cataract or other eye problems the club makes sure that they receive the assistance that is needed. For children with cranial disorders the Club can count on the help of the “Yayasan Senyum”.
Future plans The Rotary Club of Bali Lovina arranges regular “mass eye screenings” in the Lovina area in the so called “Spotting Saturdays”.
• Mobile Health Clinic for Women
Background: The Rotary Club of Bali Taman, with the assistance of Rotary club Hiroshima East, RI D 2710, Japan , set up a mobile clinic for woman requiring medical screening in remote villages.
Throughout the year the clinic travels all around Bali providing examination of reproductive system, medical treatment & preventive measures information. Started in August 1997; Up to June 2006, travelled 98.467 km., 1020 visits, 16.004 women treated. Priority treatment: Diagnosing infection in the reproductive ducts and sexual transmitted diseases; Means of medicating them; To give information and awareness of HIV / AIDS; The early stages of detection of cancer in the ovary organs; The counseling of family planning; The counseling for women in their lifestyle including spouse abuse. (from the Bali Taman website)
Current situation : At the request of the Rotary Club of Bali Lovina the mobile clinic visited the village of Kaliasem for the first time on 5th of December 2007.
The medical team performed health checks on a number of women that were in attendance and disseminated information.Test results were returned at a later date and were available for collection from the Kepala Desa's office when his wife was in attendance.
Future: As the inaugural visit was successful future visits are planned for other villages in the Buleleng area.
Contact person health projects:
Ginny Cimpoia - English: ginny@lovinarealestate.com
Lia Deniati – Indonesian: leedeniati@hotmail.com
