October report 2009

With soaring fuel prices and shortage of supplies, the market is ripe again for the resufacing of the local oil distillers. Here at the terminus of the road as it meets the creek, local Okada (motorbike taxis) riders refuel on the engine wrecking distillate.

In the background timber from bush sawmills is loaded for transportation to Warri and beyond.

Local oil refining defines the 'quick buck' in a subsistence economy, and new refineries are opening throughout the region. We have covered this practice in an earlier report...read more.

Bunkerers oil barge full of crude

Local 'wholesaler'

The World Health Organisation cites 70% of childhood mortality as the consequence of a small handful of conditions , Malaria, Diarrhoeal illnesses, Respiratory infections, HIV/AIDS, Measles, conditions in the newborn period, and malnutrition.

HIV/AIDS is present and poorly addressed with little local access to ARV's (anti-retrovirals), an issue that needs addressed centrally. Though we see evidence of HIV/AIDS the daily activity at the Clinic is predominantly focused on the remaining areas of concern.

On satellite camps problems are found that could have been ameliorated without the obvious complications had simple measures been taken within a primary care setting. Above a child presents with a gangrenous finger the black necrotic tissue slowly extending, that without surgical amputation will endanger hand and possibly life. Likely as not this began with a small cut or bite. On the right a contracted scar from a poorly healed wound is limiting and painful, easily avoided had the initial injury been treated properly and monitored. Physio, moisturisers and limited surgical release will improve matters even at this late stage thankfully.