To The Ends of the Earth

"During the Africa Mercy’s 10-month stay in the port of Pointe Noire, Republic of the Congo, Mercy Ships plans to provide over 3,300 surgeries for adult and child patients on board, to treat more than 20,000 at land-based dental and eye clinics renovated for the purpose, and provide holistic health care education to over 240 Congolese health care professionals and 830 community leaders. 
Specifically, Mercy Ships’ Education Programs aim to impart knowledge and skills while modelling and encouraging compassion and a professional work ethic to promote transformational development in the Congolese health sector.  Measures include one-on-one mentoring opportunities, internationally recognized courses for groups, and structured observation in thein the Africa Mercy hospital."

Mercy Ships Field Service Overview Congo 2013/2014

 We are here by invitation. An invitation from the President of the Republic of the Congo, Denis Sassou-Nguesso. An invitation that comes with special requests. To reach as far and wide in the nation of The Republic of the Congo, to the home of the forest dwellers and lowland gorillas, to those who have never seen white people or travelled in a car, to the homes of those who are outcast, desperate and to whom a healthcare worker is merely an apparition. By canoe, by plane, by taxi, by foot, they come......

The Congo has seen Mercy Ships largest interior screening effort in it's history.

A smile crept over his face. I could tell he was pleased. Andrew had been asked several times to go on an upcountry screening trip but had not been able to for various reasons. But as Matt, the program's security officer, offered a space for an overnight trip to Dolisie, Andrew jumped at the chance. This was the final screening trip for the Congo. Andrew drove one of the vehicles on the gruelling four hour trek up mountainous terrain, the lush Congolese jungle his constant companion. The team saw evidence of 26 accidents on the treacherous road!

The small screening team were on the lookout for maxio-facial and VVF patients. They spent the night in Dolisie and screened several hundred patients. Andrew helped out with security and logistics. Over 200 patients were screened with 40 scheduled for max fax surgery and 5 for VVF surgery. Above Andrew, Matt (Program's Security Officer) and Elizabeth (ward nurse) stand proudly in their high visibility vests in front of one a Mercy Ships land cruiser.

Just a small line compared to the 7,000 who lined up for the mass screening in Pointe Noire when we first came to town.

Sitting patiently for their time to be seen, their waiting room a little more rustic than we are used to  the West. No out of date magazines to peruse or air-conditioning.

A mama holds out her baby to be assed by a nurse, hoping and praying that her baby will be chosen.

Hey-we can fix that! No problem!

Adult cleft lip patients.

Aussie nurse, Deb, checks out a growth on a little girl while her mama watches on.

 

The eventful journey home........

Lunch?

 

Seems like social media has also reached the ends of the earth!

Beautiful jungle views lie in stark contrast to the overcrowded and dirty cities that we berth in.

 

The screening team which included three Aussies! Screening upcountry is not for sissies. It is long hours in the scorching heat, it is long hours in an uncomfortable car on dangerous roads, it is long, sleepless hours in a "hotel" room with no A/C and little to no running water and it is long hours have to reject people who have come looking for their salvation but whom we cannot help. Is it worth it? Pretty sure the 45 patients scheduled for surgery after the Dolisie screening reckon so!