NMCB 3’s IDC volunteers at Bairo Pite Clinic

TIMOR LESTE, EAST TIMOR

10.03.2015

Courtesy Story

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3

DILI, Timor-Leste – Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Tim Edgar, Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC), assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 Construction Civic Action Detail (CCAD) Timor Leste, assisted Bairo Pite Clinic with the renovation of their medical treatment and storage rooms at Timor-Leste, Dili, Oct. 3.

The new facility replaced the previous treatment room that only had space for one treatment bed. Edgar was enlisted by the clinic manager to assist with pre-planning, set up and relocating equipment for the newly constructed Andrew McNaughton Treatment Room. The new treatment room is designed to hold three treatment beds and enough room to support an ultrasound machine and an electrocardiogram (EKG).

“Having volunteered at Bairo Pite Clinic and helping local Timorese staff, further reinforces the purpose of what we are here to do, which is to strengthen the bonds within local communities and provide quality infrastructure,” said Edgar.

Working hand in hand with the Bairo Pite Clinic Store Clerk, Edgar assisted with the inventory of a 40 ft ISU container that serves as the clinics bulk supply room. He also helped with preparation of medical consumable items for the grand opening of the new treatment room.

“I checked in with Bairo Pite Clinic upon my arrival to Timor Leste and introduced myself right away and saw an opportunity to lend a hand and share my skills with the local staff,” said Edgar. “By doing this I believe we are forging a long lasting relationship and supporting a vital service.”

Edgar actively volunteers at the clinic assisting the local nursing staff and doctors in seeing patients, conducting rounds, and supporting wound management protocols.

“As an American citizen, living and working in Timor-Leste, it’s very heartening to have the Seabees come support us with such dedication and help for the Timorese patients," said Dr. Dan Murphy, clinics founder.

Founded in 1999 by Dr. Dan Murphy from Iowa, Bairo Pite Clinic is comprised of both foreign and local volunteer doctors, midwives, nurses and nurse assistants. Collectively, they care for an average of 300 outpatients per day, delivering more than 100 babies per month with full ante natal and vaccine services provided by the ministry of health. Bairo Pite Clinic is recognized as one of the key providers of treatment care and support to both TB (tuberculosis) and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) patients.

Bairo Pite Clinic provides free healthcare service to the Timorese people entirely from donations and fundraising. The clinic works closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and provides support to patients by following the National guidelines.

NMCB 3 is deployed throughout the Pacific performing critical construction projects in remote areas such as Timor-Leste, Cambodia and the Philippines. The teams are also conducting operations in Yokosuka, Sasebo, Fuji, and Okinawa, Japan; Chinhae, Republic of Korea and San Clemente, Calif.

NMCB 3 provides combatant commanders and Navy component commanders with combat-ready war fighters capable of general engineering, construction and limited combat engineering across the full range of military operations.

• Date Taken: 10.03.2015
• Date Posted: 12.01.2015 18:48
• Story ID: 183226
• Location: TIMOR LESTE, TL