The volunteer healthcare team traveled to San Juan de Dios Hospital in Mabesseneh from May 6 to 15 to conduct a Pediatric Surgery Campaign. Due to the high need for healthcare, the campaign was expanded to include some adults with complex cases. The team performed a total of 83 surgeries, 47 of which were under general anesthesia.
This initiative was promoted by Juan Ciudad NGO, and the team includes pediatric surgeon Fernando Rivilla, general surgeon Emilio Terol, maxillofacial surgeon Teresa MartĂnez, anesthesiologist Ana BelĂ©n Ortega, and nurse Alfredo de AndrĂ©s. They are also accompanied by the NGO's communications manager, Adriana Castro.
Dr. Rivilla explained that "the pathologies we have treated have mainly been craniofacial and genitourinary malformations, as well as thyroid pathologies and numerous hernias in adults." His assessment is very positive, since despite the difficulties of working with far fewer resources than in Spain, "thanks to the team's efforts and the collaboration of the hospital staff, we have achieved the objectives set for the campaign."
Brother Manuel GarcĂa Viejo, who died of Ebola at St. John of God Hospital in Mabesseneh, worked at the hospital. His memory is still very much alive. All the staff who knew him described him as a very good doctor and an exceptional person. He was a great loss to the hospital and the community of Lunsar and Mabesseneh.
The current situation in Sierra Leone is relatively normal, as the last case of Ebola was recorded last February. According to the hospital director, Brother Michael Koroma, "the center is operating at 50% of its capacity, as the population has yet to regain confidence in the health systems, something that is gradually improving, and it is also difficult to increase the number of healthcare personnel."
Sierra Leone is currently considered one of the poorest countries on the planet, with a life expectancy of just over 40 years and one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates. The country has nearly 7 million inhabitants, living in poverty for 60% of the year.
The Ebola epidemic further aggravated the difficult situation the country has been facing since the end of the 10-year civil war, which is why St. John of God Hospital in Mabesseneh and its School of Nursing continue to work to improve the lives of the thousands of people they serve.
See all photos at our Facebook.
Text and photos: Adriana Castro, Communications Manager at Juan Ciudad NGO
