Medical Facilities in Oltenia
Filiaşi GPS readings.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 16th February 2008
This is the wooden foot bridge joining Filiaşi to Bilta across the Jiu, taken from Bilta on the right bank of the Jiu. The bridge is about 50 years old, is about 300m long and about 1 m wide, and is suspended from steel cables over the Jiu, swinging in the wind and washed by floodwaters in spring
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
The Jiu bridge from the Bilta side. 
This demonstrates a local tradition of the people of the area, to put a wooden cross in a place near a river (analogous to the Styx) with the name of the dead person, in order to keep their memory alive. 
The Jiu bridge
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
A view of the Jiu from the Jiu bridge, looking upstream.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
On the right bank of the river, about 1 km from Bilta.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
Passing over the bridge to Bilta, on a winter morning. We are going to my small medical unit at Bilta, to do our job. It is very, very cold!
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
One of the bridge supports has been bent and broken by the ice coming down the river. It is a very real danger to the people crossing the river by this bridge. The temperature on this day was -20° C.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
Two of Dr Gheoghe's nurses crossing the bridge. As can be seen, the side rods connecting the cable to the walkway have been twisted and buckled.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
Safe at the Bilta side of the river.
The bridge is about 300 m long, with a walkway one metre wide, and normally about three metres above the water. It is made of wood and steel cables, and is about 50 years old. When damaged like this, it is very dangerous to use.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
In such bad weather, only those who must do so venture out. Dr Gheorghe and his nurses have patients to see, who depend on their commitment and integrity.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
At last the village appears through the snow.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
Arriving at the small medical unit, built by Dr Gheorghe about 10 years ago and given by him at no charge to the people of the village of Bilta.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
A patient having his blood pressure checked by one of the nurses. At each visit, there are about 50 medical consultations in the medical unit, as well as about 5 - 10 house visits in the village (about 10 children under one year of age)
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
Under some circumstances an ambulance (which must come on a difficult road through Bralostita, about 22 km distance) must be called from Filasi to transport the patient to the hospital in Filiaşi.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
This reliable, hard working and efficient woman, Stanica Gheorghita, helps out at the Medical Unit. She cleans it, starts a fire to warm the Unit before the medical team arrives, and generally looks after the Unit. She receives about $20 USD/month for doing this job.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
An old house in Bilta. It is small, the ridge pole along the centre of the roof has sagged, and the exterior walls are in need of repair, but it is still able to be used despite its age.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
Going home from Bilta, after finishing the job there. It is the middle of the day and the doctor and nurses must hurry because they have appointments in the main medical unit of Filiaşi, on the same day, between 14.00 - 19.00 hours, and there is still the damaged bridge across the Jiu to negotiate.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe
This man was herding sheep along the road on the Filiaşi side of the river with the aid of dogs and his donkey. He has a warm sheepskin cloak on to help ward off the chill of the weather.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe