Liberia '07 Field Report

DECEMBER 2007 |

Our field service in Liberia last year ran for 10 months. In May, our new vessel, the Africa Mercy, arrived to take over from the Anastasis. We offered free specialised surgeries, developmental assistance, and educational programs benefiting thousands of individuals and many communities in Liberia. Here is just a glimpse of the work that has been made possible by your continued support:

Ophthalmic surgery
In 2007, a total of 1,190 eye operations were performed. Through our Mobile Eye Team's weekly visits, 14,747 patients received diagnosis and management of eye disease including surgical referrals. Overall, 1,107 accepted patients received 1,190 eye surgical procedures. Five community health workers were trained to perform eye examinations while two surgeons received additional ophthalmic training.

Reconstructive surgery
Last year, 641 maxillofacial, plastic and general operations took place. Surgical candidates were selected through referrals, from up-country screenings in nine locations and via the one-day mass patient screening held on 3 May in Monrovia. Volunteer surgeons performed 641 life-changing operations, including 87 cleft lip and/or palate repairs and 91 hernia repairs. Anaesthesia students gained clinical experience in our operating rooms. Mercy Ships doctors held a three-day anaesthesia conference at JFK Hospital. Mercy Ships lab technicians provided 25 hours of teaching for 17 students.

Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) surgery
We performed 122 VVF and 24 gynaecological operations and provided medical training. An estimated 2 million women worldwide suffer extreme incontinence due to vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) resulting principally from prolonged obstructed labour. 102 women received free fistula repair surgeries. An additional 33 patients were screened and referred to our VVF clinic in Sierra Leone. Three nurses underwent a two-week training programme in VVF care, and three gynaecologists were trained in VVF surgery techniques.

Orthopaedic surgery
We carried out 91 orthopaedic operations for 75 patients. 2007 was our first opportunity to provide on board corrective surgical interventions focusing on neglected or mismanaged orthopaedic trauma, childhood musculoskeletal conditions and various diseases affecting joints.

Dental treatment
In 2007, 11,327 procedures were performed for 6,134 patients. The Dental Team established a clinic in Redemption Hospital in New Kru Town. 5,691 received lessons in oral hygiene in the waiting room. Eighteen participants were trained in dental health education, each receiving a total of six hours of teaching. The Dental Team also visited Monrovia Central Prison where they held a two-day clinic to treat prisoners and staff.