At a clinic things can take a variety of turns at any time. On 20 October medics at the Pakistani Level II Hospital in Harper were therefore ready for the emergency when 14-year-old Joseph was rushed in.

Joseph had fallen from a coconut tree while attempting to pick the fruit. It was a bad fall and he appeared to have suffered abdominal injuries. He was in severe pain and appeared to lose consciousness intermittently.

Suspecting damage to the internal viscera, PakMed nurses swung into action administering intravenous fluids, analgesics and antibiotics. Radiologist, Maj. Dr. Zafar was on hand to conduct an ultrasound, the result of which did not look good. Joseph had suffered a rupture of the spleen, leading to bleeding inside his abdominal cavity.

The patient was promptly rushed to the theatre of JJ Dossen hospital where Pakistani surgeon, Maj. Dr Raheel, along with anesthesiologist Maj. Dr. Amir, carried out immediate surgery on the boy. They were assisted by a surgeon of JJ Dossen, Dr Billy Conde.

The bleeding was quickly stopped and the damaged organ removed. Joseph also received a blood transfusion. Within a week the boy had made full recovery and was discharged from hospital - all thanks to the timely intervention of the Pakistani medics, demonstrating the level of cooperation and coordination between the local hospital and PakMed.

PakMed generally assists the JJ Dossen Hospital and other local health facilities in the management of medical, surgical, eye, dental and psychiatric patients. The Pakistani Level 2 Hospital also provides free x-ray and ultrasound services to local residents as there are no such facilities elsewhere in Harper.

Certain laboratory tests not also available in local clinics are performed at the Pakistani Hospital free of charge for the local residents. What’s more, paramedics, radiographers and laboratory technicians from JJ Dossen hospital come to PakMed on a regular basis for training in their respective fields.