Mission Highlights
1. This was the first mission for Team UK, and it took place in Techiman, Ghana, one of the well developed bases of Operation International. 2. The team knew that they will have to hit the ground running since permission preparation revealed last number of patients waiting. 3. The presence of large number of patients, and the need to perform complex cases under suboptimal conditions were the catalyst that led to rapid development of bond between team members, by end of second day everyone felt they can fully depend on each other. 4. The team performed wide variety of cases from repairing years-long hernias, to neck tumors, to esophageal diseases, to burn contracture, and more.
Scroll below for a video and more details from the mission
About the Mission:
Techiman Ghana is an area with a high population and intense poverty. Our first mission to Techiman was in 2014. When we first came there were only 2 ill-equipped, rusty operating rooms. Over the years we have brought equipment and supplies to set up 2 fully functioning operating rooms and have spent much time educating local professionals and treating patients. Every time we come, there are hundreds of people waiting for us. This is how we know that more help is needed. This time around, there were approximately 350 people that travelled as far as 9 hours to be seen. The hardest part of these missions is having to turn down people due to the lack of time. This is why we focus on educating local medical professionals so that they can continue to do our work when we leave.
Over the course of 4.5 days we were able to complete 143 life changing operations, which included the first ever laparoscopic cholecystectomy completed in the region. We also donated large amounts of medical equipment and other supplies so that the hospital could function better when we left. Watch the video below to learn more about what we do.