by Tara Beverly

Imagine eating live spiders, bathing in icy cold creeks and attending ritualistic ceremonies around fires at night. Now imagine assisting in the health care of a third world country. These are what Jessica Fleagle, a second-year student, did when she went to Kudjip Nazarene Mission Hospital in Papua, New Guinea. Living in the impoverished highlands of the male-dominated culture of Papua for two months was not an easy task, but because of her selflessness she was able to help save and better the lives of hundreds of Papuans.

Last Thursday, Jan. 27, in front of an Irvine Hall audience, she talked about her Papuan experience.  

Fleagle’s interest in medical missionary work started in her childhood. Being exposed to medical missionary work, she says, fostered a desire in her to do the same thing. Her interest grew even more at her undergraduate college, Mount Vernon Nazarene University. There she met visiting Ohio State University Professor James Radcliffe, M.D., who is a full-time surgeon at Kudjip Nazarene Mission Hospital.

“I went to Kudjip as a class trip/service learning opportunity while an undergrad. I fell in love with the mission and couldn’t wait to return,” says Fleagle.

After completing her first year at OU-COM, she renewed contacts from her past trip and returned to Papua. She was able to assist Radcliffe most of the time she was there.

“Being in surgery allowed me to see severe wounds and really interesting pathologies, some of which the physicians couldn’t figure out without a pathologist. I saw many procedures, including c-sections, burn wound debridement, hemiglossectomy and a laryngotomy among others,” says Fleagle.

The Kudjip hospital has four wards, with about 20–25 beds in each ward. The wards are surgical, pediatric, ob/gyn and general ones. Fleagle spent time in each ward and also in outpatient service. A tuberculosis ward was under construction while she was there.

In addition to Radcliffe, there are three attending family practice physicians and one pediatrician who work at the Kudjip hospital. There also is a physician who leads community health development. Fleagle was able to spend time with all of them. While assisting the physicians she saw many cases of diseases, such as malaria, typhoid, pneumonia and osteomyelitis.

According to Fleagle, polygamy and domestic violence were common, with the latter commonly following the former. Jealousy in these marriages frequently turns into rage among the wives, she says. In one hospital case Fleagle saw a small boy who had been caught in a house fire that a wife had started.

“His burns were very severe, but he survived. He was very strong, and we became buddies while he recovered in the clinic. It was really devastating for me to see a small, innocent child suffer such horrible injuries resulting from violence in a polygamist marriage,” says Fleagle.

Fleagle says that the women of Papua almost have no rights and have to walk behind their husbands. During the day the women do all of the cooking, cleaning, housework and whatever else needs to be done, while the men lie around, nap and socialize with the other men. Fleagle said it was a huge culture shock for her to see how the women of Papua were treated.

“It is not unusual for men to have up to eight wives. Most of the men are not aware of sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia, syphilis and HIV/AIDS, so they do not wear protection. There is a high epidemic of HIV/AIDS in Papua — 16,000 cases according to a United Nations AIDS statistical report. It was really sad to see,” says Fleagle.

Fleagle also saw many ectopic pregnancies, which can be the result of untreated Chlamydia, and pelvic inflammatory disease, while working at the mission.

One of the biggest goals the Kudjip medical team had was to educate Papuans about safe sex: how to use condoms and how to avoid sexually transmitted diseases. The team and other missions have started an AIDS awareness and safe sex campaign utilizing huge posters, passing out fliers and hanging huge billboards along the road, she says.

“There was a nun, Sister Rose, from Toledo that worked with AIDS patients. She taught them how to eat well and how to take care of themselves. She passed out condoms, which was kind of funny to see. She was this small, older woman but yet she had such a voice. She really had a strong impact on these people; she was very inspiring,” says Fleagle.

When Fleagle wasn’t hard at work at the hospital, she enjoyed hiking, rugby, star gazing, waterfall jumping, climbing and learning new languages. Fleagle was even able to try exotic foods, such as live spiders.

“Most people would be surprised to know that spiders are actually very tasty; they kind of taste like burnt French fries,” says Fleagle.

Fleagle was also able to spend time in the villages learning from her new friends about their culture and how community development and preventive health programs take shape in the tribal highlands region. She says that the people were very friendly and gladly shared their thoughts and traditions. Building strong relationships with the Papuans, Fleagle was able to participate in some ritualistic family gatherings and ceremonies, which she says she enjoyed very much.

“It was cool to be able to take part in their ceremony. Apparently, it is very rare for them to sing songs to outsiders. I felt very proud for them to treat me as one of their own, a part of their family,” says Fleagle.

Fleagle says that it was not the “interesting pathologies” or cases that impressed her the most but getting to know each patient and his or her individual story that touched her the most, as hospital personnel made it a point to try to address each patient as an individual.

She says some of the best moments were when the team prayed with the patients.

“Since it is a mission hospital, spirituality counseling is not only offered but made a part of the treatment, if the patients desire,” says Fleagle.

“The experience taught me to embrace and work with another culture. It also showed me that if the entire person is not addressed, health can’t be attained. This meant addressing the domestic violence in a male-dominated society as well as supporting the development of sustainable food sources, especially protein, and the economy.

“This experience helped me see that prayer is a universal language and that people will not care what I know, if I don’t have a heart for them.”