missions

KENYA ECUADOR COLOMBIA HAITI
July 2011, Malindi

The fifth surgical mission to Malindi General Hospital, ENT specialist Dr. Mujahid Din resumed the mission aims of performing ear surgeries, training the local ENT surgeon, ENT Resident and the local theatre staff in the procedures of ear microsurgery, with a focus on Ophthalmology. Pre-screening was done prior to the mission.

SUMMARY:
EARS: 8 patients operated, all tympanoplasties: 7 under local anesthetic and 1 under General anesthetic.
EYES: 8 Adults operated on for Cataracts - under local anesthetic.

October 2011, Kitui

Kitui is east of Nairobi, and sometimes a pit-stop for those on the way from Mt. Kenya to Mombasa. Organized by Dr. Mujahid Din, this was the first mission to Kitui District Hospital. The local ENT Surgeons based at the Hospital did pre-screening prior to the mission, which included ear operations, and training the local ENT surgeon and staff with knowledge transfer of microsurgery.

SUMMARY:
7 patients operated, all tympanoplasties under local anesthetic 5 Adults 2 Children

January 2011, Malindi / Laikipia / Narok

PCCHF’s January mission was the first where we visited multiple sites. The 20 medical volunteers were split into 2 groups and sent to different locations for the first leg of trip, while meeting up in Malindi for the final destination.
Over 1,000 patients were screened and treated, and 60 surgeries were performed including eye, ear and orthopedic cases.

The first arriving team in Nairobi visited Cura Rotary Orphanage, and Narok.
This visit to Cura Orphanage found it to be a good site for screening surgical candidates that would be referred to local medical teams in Nairobi.
We found it to be a prime site for installation of a new solar or generator powered well pump to augment their farming activity.

Narok  - Free the Children and SVQF hosted PCCHF medical team, to explore a future collaboration. PCCHF can provide surgical and dental support, as well as local medicinal options if a surgical facility is decided upon. 
370 patients were screened and treated.

Second team traveled to Laikipia.
Laikipia – A return to visit to the maternity clinic, and to the surrounding area.
The OR/ Maternity clinic is not in regular use, and the OR, supply room and solar system needs simple maintenance. We will look for a local support physician, and will return for brief medical screening visits with surgical missions to be referred elsewhere.
844 patients were screened and treated.

The medical teams came together again in Malindi.
Malindi - This was the fourth mission to Malindi General Hospital, three prior local missions with Dr. Din. The mission’s surgical focus was ENT, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and a dental clinic was assembled.

Lamu was scouted for a new mission location and is a future site for ENT, Plastics, Eye, and Ortho teams.

SUMMARY:
1,000+ medical cases
60 surgeries.

July 2010, Malindi District Hospital

This was the third surgical mission to Malindi General Hospital. ENT specialist Dr. Mujahid Din resumed the mission aims of performing ear surgeries, training the local ENT surgeon, ENT Resident and the local theatre staff in the procedures of ear microsurgery.
PCCHF’s donated anesthesia machine was used on 3 patients.

A total of 13 tympanoplasties including ossiculoplaties were performed and the local doctors had hands on learning experience.

SUMMARY:
13 patients operated, all one-sided tympanoplasties
9 Adults – under local anesthetic
4 Children – 3 under General anesthetic, 1 under local anesthetic.

While in Malindi, the team met with the Provincial Medical Officer, Dr Anisa Omar who appreciated the team and foundations efforts and looked forward to cooperating with PCCHF in expanding our activities.

July 2009, Malindi District Hospital

The second surgical mission at the Malindi Hospital, done in liaison with the Local ENT Surgeon based at the Hospital.

The aims of the mission were:

  • - Perform Ear operations
  • - Assist in training the local ENT surgeon and staff in ear microsurgery under local anesthesia.
  • - Donate and install an anesthetic machine in the operating theatre.
  • - 10 patients operated — All one sided tympanoplasties under local anesthetic:
    • 9 Adults
    • 1 Child
December 2008, Mombasa, the second largest city in Kenya

This mission was done in liaison with the Local ENT Surgeons based at Coast General Hospital.

The aims of the mission were to perform ear operations, assist in training the local ENT surgeon & staff, and to assess for future mission location.

The facility had several operating rooms with fair amount of general surgical operating equipment, had an excellent ophthalmologic and otological operating microscope, and an anesthesia machine adequate monitoring.

The ENT resident had excellent hands on exposure t o Ear Surgery, and the nursing staff had good exposure to the requirements for surgery.

With further experience she would be able to perform the surgeries on her own.

A successful third location venture, with more possibilities for PCCHF to continue making a larger long-term impact in Kenya.

150 patients screened, 9 tymnoplasties

January 2007, Ol Moran / Laikipia

PCCHF's January mission established the efficiency and capability of the medical facility to service the community of Ol Moran.
Primary care patients totaled over 300.
The medical team of doctors and nurses performed 52 surgeries:
37 with local anesthesia and 15 with general
anesthesia, a first in Ol Moran. Some surgeries
included lipoma removal, keloid excisions, and
thyroidectomies.


SUMMARY:

300 Primary Care examinations
52 surgeries

upcoming

January 2012 Kenya

PCCHF’s US medical volunteers and surgical team in collaboration with local Nairobi ENT specialist Dr. Mujahid Din are scheduling a 10 day international mission to Malindi.

The mission’s focus will be ENT, Plastics, ophthalmology & pediatrics.

Knowledge transfer and training the local medical staff of the visiting hospital is expected.

Spring 2012, Tumaco, Colombia

A return mission is planned to the new hospital.

January 2008

The Paul Chester Children's Hope Foundation's future goals include liaising with local physicians and surgeons, nurses, and government officials to visit the facility with the intent of providing continuous local support and staffing. PCCHF will assume the role of collaboration, technology transfer, and possibly funding of full-time staff as the needs of the facility become better defined. In addition, we will work closely with the Catholic Mission and District Medical officers in coordinating treatment of difficult medical or social problems that may arise.

We have agreed to provide funds towards the installation of a solar-powered pump which will quadruple the pumping capacity of the existing well.

Future project planned to help fund the building of a pediatric ward for follow up infant care and for mothers who have just given birth.