For those keen to find out the latest on what Tauranga Moana's medical ship M/V YWAM KOHA has been up to, there are opportunities coming up to go on board and explore from bow to stern.

'We are excited to announce public tours are back,” says YWAM Ships Aotearoa managing director Marty Emmett.

'Please come and join us on March 18-19 and March 25-26 to see the M/V YWAM KOHA and hear all about YSA, our mission, incredible stories from our maiden voyage in 2022 to Fiji, and different ways you too can be a part of this mission.”

Throughout last year, the ship's mobile Trinity Koha Dental Clinic – TKDC - and volunteer team have been deployed out into the Bay of Plenty community helping people who are often unable to get dental care due to cost.

'During our clinic in Rotorua, an older lady came in needing assistance. What senior dentist Adam found was one of the worst cases he'd seen in his profession,” says Marty.

'It was a tartar build-up left untreated for several decades resulting in heavily decayed teeth, with an associated infection.”

Marty says the woman was in a great deal of pain.

'The dentist decided the only option was to remove the seven affected teeth and treat the infection,” says Marty.

'The relief was provided, the infection treated, the teeth removed, and now this woman is able to look at dentures and live free of this pain and pursue a healthier lifestyle.”

Ian and Susan Carpenter providing tooth restoration at TKDC in Rotorua. Photo: YWAM Ships Aotearoa.

Ian and Susan Carpenter, some of key volunteer NZ-based dentists, and have been helping countless individuals, says Marty.

'Relieving people of pain and restoring smiles. One patient remarked that she was used to covering her mouth when she speaks because of how she felt about her teeth. Then the intervention by this incredible duo and our TKDC team was able to bring restoration to her smile!”

He's appalled at the attitude towards oral health in New Zealand.

'We were told last year when we were serving in Te Kaha that it's been at least seven years since the last dental team visited there, and five years for Ruatoria,” says Marty.

'We're doing another 12 clinics in 2023. Last year we saw just over 1000 patients.”

He wants to see a dental pilot programme developed in the Bay of Plenty that forces a national conversation.

What's next?

'We plan to leave Tauranga in early May and spend four months in Fiji,” says Marty.

'The big thing we need now is finances for fuel.”

It's estimated that 50,000 litres of fuel will be required for the ship to complete its next medical and dental deployment to remote Fijian island villages.

'We would love electricians, plumbers, tradespeople to come volunteer and help us prepare the ship. Also mechanics who want to come and service the ship. Volunteers.

The M/V YWAM KOHA sailing in Fijian waters in 2022. Photo: YWAM Ships Aotearoa.

He's looking forward to telling the stories of last year's voyage to Fiji and the impact of the service that the ship and team was able to provide while there.

'On the open tour days in March we will have the dental caravan in the carpark to tell that story too,” says Marty.

'We would love people to come back with us to the Pacific.”

Letter of endorsement

The Northern Health Services in Fiji sent Marty a letter of endorsement signed by Divisional Medical Officer Dr Saumalua Tiko. The letter thanks the management, members and crew of YWAM ships for the 'fantastic” healthcare services provided to targeted communities in the Northern Division from August until October 2022.

'We were privileged to have them work alongside the MOHMS to meet national goals to reach the unreachable in provision of healthcare on our journey towards Universal Health Coverage.”

The letter also says that the YWAM team's services helped them during a challenging time to reach out to the vulnerable communities in assessing their current health status during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Not only had the YWAM team provided excellent quality health services but they also were acknowledged for helping build the capacity of the local Fijian health workers – nurses and community health workers – by 'treatment through training” and focussed education sessions, providing them with a glucometer and blood pressure machine.

Two of the YWAM KOHA team demonstrating oral care to Fijian school children. Photo: YWAM Ships Aotearoa.

While deployed to Fiji, the team clocked up 579 primary health appointments, 635 dental treatments, 315 teeth restored, 998 teeth extracted, 1164 individuals served with oral health education, 10 village health workers trained and resourced, and 29 villages where services were provided. It's estimated that the cost per unit of service is $238.

Over 3000 toothbrushes and toothpaste were distributed, with more than 70 international volunteers serving on the ship, along with 10 Fijian dentists. While in Fiji, 52,000 litres of fuel was consumed by the ship.

The work of the YWAM team enabled the Northern Health Services to exceed their annual health targets for 2022.

'I have seen many voluntary organisations come and go but YWAMSHIPS in one organisation I have worked with who uniquely stands out,” says Fiji Northern Health Services Divisional Dental Officer Dr Nadeem Sattar.

'It's not just their level of experience and expertise skills that impressed me, however. YWAMSHIPS team was a joy to work with because of their amazingly positive attitudes and eagerness to stick tightly to what they meant to deliver.”

Dr Saumalua Tiko has recommended to the MHMS Fiji that the ministry sign a long term agreement with YWAM Ships Aoteoroa and is hopeful the ship will visit Fiji for a few months every year for the next 10 years.

'I am confident that YWAMSHIPS would be a great fit for MHMS Fiji,” says Dr Tiko.

'Not only will it bring the international skills and experiences to our nation but with outstanding health services we all are looking forward for our people in terms of their health needs.”