Final VVF Dress Ceremony
Glimpses into a Medical Mission adventure from Saskatchewan to Dakar, Senegal serving with Mercy Ships. This is the second visit by Mercy Ships to Senegal. The last visit was in the 1990's when the Anastasis was in port. Everything here, however, is personal opinion and is not read or approved before posted. Opinions, conclusions and other information expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercy Ships.
Each field service has one or two remarkable stories that are woven into the fabric that is Mercy Ships. This January, Sambany heard on the radio that there might be help in Tamatave. Six people carried him on their backs for 2 days as they walked from his village to find transportation to the Africa Mercy. He presented with the largest tumor that they had ever encountered in their history.
Obstetric fistula is such a problem not only in Africa, but Madagascar as well. Mercy Ships has provided surgery for these patients in each of their field services but the numbers are staggering. It is estimated that almost 1 million women in Sub-Saharan Africa, and 20-50,000 women in Madagascar now constantly leak urine following an injury during childbirth. Mercy Ships has provided surgery for scores of women and helped to train local surgeons but the problem is immense. Next field service, the Africa Mercy will return to Madagascar with plans to establish a free-standing VVF surgical facility on the site of the current HOPE Center, leaving a permanent legacy of their visit to the Malagasy people.
We joined ourselves to a small group of crew from the ship traveling to the concert. It is said that "Madagascar is not Africa" but this afternoon had me wondering. We arrived at 2:45 pm. The hall held a few dozen of other Mercy Ships crew and a handful of locals. The concert started right on time - about 3:40 pm. We heard from a local choir, a choir of children from a local orphanage, a very long greeting from the assistant community administrator, then a spectacular choir formed from members of the Day Crew serving aboard the ship. these workers are local Malagasy that serve as translators, kitchen and housekeeping help.
The three "old guys" ventured out to the market today. Wedging ourselves into a small scooter driven cart, "Tuc Tuc" we traveled to the market for about 35 cents each. Most of these markets are the same. A collection of local crafts; some spices and vanilla; a collection of imported shoes and clothing; together some local produce and meat; with a blend of aggressive sellers, children begging, and babies sleeping.
I arrived in Madagascar one week ago. After a long series of flights we arrived at a Guest house in the capital, Antananarivo. None of the names here are short. Not for the towns, not for the people, not for the shops. Early Sunday morning we boarded a small bus and were "shuttled" to the Africa Mercy. Docked in the largest port in the country, the Africa Mercy has been in Toamasina since September.
Despite a limited scope of surgical procedures and fewer than usual patients in Congo, how come some will have the opportunity to freely receive surgery while others miss theirs? Today is quiet. We had to cancel 2 children for cleft surgery because they were developing symptoms of influenza. After waiting so long, and now so close to changing their futures, we had to send them away. We tried to fill the OR time with a young woman with a facial tumor that was to require surgery tomorrow only to find she was now pregnant.
Today I worked with the orthopedic team caring for children with legs that that would well be described as "weak and feeble". In their world physical ability is one of the keys to success and independence. These children struggle with an awkward gait trying in earnest to encourage weak limbs to keep up with their peers. Born with appears to be normal legs, far too soon they curve and twist while parents watch helplessly.