Missions

Kenya | Ecuador | Colombia | Haiti

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Kenya

July 2009
Malindi District Hospital

The second surgical mission at the Malindi Hospital, done in liaison with the Local ENT Surgeon based at the Hospital.

The aims of the mission were:

• Perform Ear operations
• Assist in training the local ENT surgeon and staff in ear microsurgery under local anesthesia.
• Donate and install an anesthetic machine in the operating theatre.

10 patients operated — All one sided tympanoplasties under local anesthetic:
9 Adults
1 Child

December 2008,
Mombasa, the second largest city in Kenya

This mission was done in liaison with the Local ENT Surgeons based at Coast General Hospital.

The aims of the mission were to perform ear operations, assist in training the local ENT surgeon & staff, and to assess for future mission location.

The facility had several operating rooms with fair amount of general surgical operating equipment, had an excellent ophthalmologic and otological operating microscope, and an anesthesia machine adequate monitoring.

The ENT resident had excellent hands on exposure t o Ear Surgery, and the nursing staff had good exposure to the requirements for surgery.

With further experience she would be able to perform the surgeries on her own.

A successful third location venture, with more possibilities for PCCHF to continue making a larger long-term impact in Kenya.

150 patients screened, 9 tymnoplasties

August 2008,
Malindi District Hospital

Through our steadfast team of in-country partners, PCCHF had the opportunity to expand our Kenya service with a surgical/training clinic at Malindi General. Malindi is a Government-run hospital in this coastal town several hours north of Mombassa.

The aims of the mission were to assess and treat patients requiring ear surgery, and to train local ENT surgeons and staff in these procedures. These “specialist outreach” missions provide a sustainable knowledge transfer for the local ENT surgeon as well as the nursing staff.

Attending this mission were our Kenya Medical Director, Dr. Mujahid Din, along with Dr. Gathiru (ENT Surgeon based in Malindi). The doctors were assisted by Nurses Lovega and Martin, along with a remarkable team of local volunteers to provide surgical care to 6 adults and 2 children

The local ENT surgeon had an excellent opportunity to have a guided exposure to ear microsurgery under local anesthetic. As a result of this training, specialized care can be offered at Malindi Hospital.

June 2008,
Ol Moran

This third local mission acquired new urgency, with as the region experienced several months of political turmoil. Our team established a secure operative camp for General Surgery, ENT and Dental patients, along with follow-up care for Gynecological patients.

Volunteer nurse Susan Chaudry joined the Kenyan team of Dr. Mujahid Din, Dr. Allan Mulandi, Dr. Sarojna Shan, Dr. Abdullah and Dr. Quershy

Dr. Din, and his ENT team saw 96 patients, with 3 surgical procedures performed. General Surgery prescreened 57 patients, performing 17 surgical procedures. Dental operated on 91 patients under local anesthetic.

October 2007,
Ol Moran

Our second all-Kenyan volunteer mission offered specialized care in the form of an an Ear, Nose and Throat-focused medical and dental clinic. In all, the ENT clinic assessed and treated 63 patients, with 4 successful surgical operations to the families of this remote Rift Valley community.

The team consisted of ENT surgeon Dr. Allan Mulandi, Dr. Samina Mir, DDS- Anesthesiologist, and Dr. Musadiq Mir, GP. The doctors were assisted by Nairobi -based Nurses Lovega, Martin, Eunice and Peterson.

The dental team provided care to 78 patients, offering a range of care from simple extractions to minor surgical treatment using local anesthetic.

September 2007,
Laikipia

BABY UPDATE: 60 babies born to date at the clinic.

August 2007,
Laikipia

The collaboration of Dr. Din & the Global Foundation for International Cardiac Services (GFICS) and PCCHF resulted in the first local mission to Ol Moran. An all-Kenyan venture, the medical team focused on eye & dental care with previously booked ENT cases. The team consisted of an ENT, Dr. Mujahid Din; an ophthalmologist, Dr Ahmed Parkar; a dentist- Dr. Allan Mulandi and an anesthesiologist, Samna Mir. The doctors were assisted by four Nairobi-based nurses and one nurse from Kinamba.

The team performed: 8 cataract surgeries under local anesthesia, treated 59 dental patients with 1 or more extractions. The ENT performed a tympanoplasty surgery, surgical repair of a perforated eardrum, and numerous cyst removals.

A second local mission is scheduled for October.

June 2007,
Laikipia

The Paul Chester Foundation completed a full surgical and medical mission in Ol Moran, Laikipia, Kenya. The mission included 27 volunteers providing full medical screening and patient follow-up for one week.

The medical team consisted of a general surgeon, Dr. Frost; two anesthesiologists, Dr. Park & Dr. Bill Chester, one pediatrician, Dr. Carol Plotsky; an internist, Dr. John Plotsky & five nurse specialists who were critical in making the program safe and effective. The logistics personnel were vital in keeping supplies, communication, and equipment organized for the clinical team. Supporting these efforts were eight students who served an essential role screening patients and scribing.

The team saw and treated 1000 medical cases and operated on 55 patients. The surgeries included cataract and trachoma surgery, thyroid, hernias, and mass removals of lipomas, cysts, solid tumors. Several cases of children with pneumonia, severe dehydration, and potentially lethal infections were treated and on follow-up had responded well to our interventions. One patient who was blind for over 5 years greeted his surgeon with the following (in Jemps tribal language) after removing his eye patch: "My God, you are a white man!" He was extremely grateful for PCCHF's services, as were the other patients - some who traveled over 40 miles in rough, dangerous terrain to reach Ol Moran.

The mission's other triumph was the continued expansion of our collaboration with local Nairobi medical and surgical specialist, Dr. Mujahid Din. Dr Din (ENT) has organized a local team of volunteer physicians and support staff (nurses, biomedical technicians) who will begin operating a "local mission" every other month. Each mission will include pre-screening of surgical patients and referral of more complicated non-surgical patients for consultation. The local nurse practitioners and midwives will be afforded on-site consults and education by medical specialists from Nairobi and other large cities, with the intent that they will be better able to care for the community on a daily basis.

As the Ol Moran project expands, we hope to refine the role of the Paul Chester Foundation to one of logistic, financial, and highly specialized support of a primarily local surgical and medical team. This will extend the impact of our work by keeping logistics and transportation costs to a minimum, allowing us to bring even better supplies and equipment that would otherwise be unavailable in this remote community.

We have also made the first installment of a solar-powered pump to run a community well. The current wind-powered system pumps about 500-1500 liters per day, and none when there is no wind. The solar system will increase the average output to 4500-5500 liters per day and will go a long way to bringing potable water to each villager, possibly impacting on the health of the community as much as our medical missions.

January 2007,
Laikipia

PCCHF's January mission established the efficiency & capability of the medical facility to service the community of Ol Moran.

Primary care patients totaled over 300 with some receiving surgical care. The medical team of doctors & nurses performed 37 surgeries with local anesthesia and 15 surgeries with general anesthesia, a first in Ol Moran.

The Foundation has liaised with Dr. Mujahid Din, an ENT surgeon from The Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi. Dr. Din will be assisting in the establishment of an ongoing local mission. Funds permitting, Dr. Din will coordinate 10 missions a year to the clinic.

Over the next year, The Paul Chester Children's Hope Foundation will also be assisting in the update of the water supply for the clinic by replacing the current well, which only provides 500 liters of water per day, to a solar pump which will generate up 4000 liters per day.

August 2006,
Laikipia

PCCHF's 10 day return mission to Laikipia, Kenya marked the completion & opening of the Ol Moran Maternity Clinic and Health Center. This landmark mission was made possible by contributions from our May 2006 NY Benefit at Cain which enabled the completion & addition of an operating and consultation room at the Ol Moran Maternity Clinic and Health Center.

Funds raised went to the purchase & installation of a solar power & water system, international shipping of donated OR equipment, in-country transportation of people & supplies, & a donation to Gallmann Foundation for maternity expenses.

The team reassembled over 4000 lbs of medical equipment and supplies, including an entire operating room transported from the US to Kenya. After installing and testing the equipment, surgeries were performed in a solar powered operating room.

Over 300 patients with eye and ear diseases were examined and treated & a large percentage returned from September 2005 mission for eye exams. Many were referred to return back in January for possible surgery or re-examination. Others were seen for general medical conditions, and routine pregnancy exams.

The Ol Moran Maternity Clinic and Health Center launched on August 20th 2006. Opening ceremonies included dance & music performed by women from Kikuyu, Samburu, Turkana and several other tribes from the region along with a beautiful dedication to Paul Chester and Emanuele Pirri-Gallmann.

The Gallmann Foundation has employed a full time pharmacy tech, a security / ground person & the government has provided a nurse midwife.

UPDATE:
As of December 8, 24 babies have been born in this facility!

September 2005,
Laikipia

Noted author (I Dreamed of Africa) and conservationist Kuki Gallmann approached the Foundation with concerns about the increased occurrance of trachoma, a bacterial infection by chlamydia trachoma that results in eyelid and eventually corneal scarring and blindness. The realization that the blinding consequence of trachoma can be relatively easily diagnosed and treated led us to believe that establishing a medical presence in Kenya's Rift Valley should be a high priority for our mission.

During the 10-day Kenya mission, the PCCHF team was provided treatment to over 250 individuals from 4 surrounding tribes, with outreach facilitated through the Gallmann Africa Conservancy. In addition to the optical treatments, the mission underscored the pressing need for gynocological services among these communities. Toward that goal, the Foundation has committed to partner with the Gallmann Africa Conservancy on a long-term initiative to provide ongoing family care and education to the Laikipia natives.

For more information on the Gallmann Africa Conservancy, visit www.gallmannkenya.org

Ecuador

June 2008,
Quito

For our second mission to Ecuador, PCCHF returned to Quito’s Hospital. Volunteer surgeons Dr. Mitch Frost and Dr. Barry Greene, from the Washington, DC area, joined forces with Ecuadorian doctors Diego Lizaraburo and Aldo Guayasamin to perform critical surgery on patients of all ages.

Drs. Frost and Greene focused on general surgery, such as hernias and gallbladder problems, while Dr. Lizaraburo and Dr. Guayasamin performed corrective plastic surgery. The surgeons were assisted by Dr. Gustavo Cifuentes, nurses Brigitte Smith, Kim Duvall, and Elizabeth Size and student volunteers: Alina Chester, Alana Greene, Ben Plotsky, Deborah Plotsky, Suzanne Partridge and Gabrielle Partridge.

This multi-national medical team performed a total of 54 successful surgeries, including multiple cleft lip, cleft palate, ear microtia, gallbladder and hernia surgeries. PCCHF performed corrective surgery on 5 different children with either a cleft palate or lip, and 3 young boys with ear microtia.

A particular highlight of this mission was reconnecting with Alex, one of our first PCCHF patients. Alex was brought to us through INNFA (Instituto Nacional de la Ninez y La Familia), a remarkable aid organization for families and children. Alex had been found living in a cave, tethered with animals, abandoned by his parents because he was not a normal baby. He has cerebral palsy and was thought to have club feet, but it was discovered in surgery that his tendons had been constricted because of the way he mimicked the animals in the cave. Alex is now living at an INNFA facility for abandoned children. He has daily therapeutic horse exercise, which has helped improve his balance, muscle strength, flexibility, joint movement and posture.

February 2005,
Quito

PCCHF's inaugural mission focused on corrective surguries for children suffering from deformities such as cleft lip, cleft palate and club foot. Working in partnership with the respected aid organization INNFA and local specialists, the 22-person volunteer team performed over 100 free surguries at Quito's Military Hospital.

Through the support of INNFA, the team was able to reach out to families in the remote villages and rural provinces of Northern Ecuador. Beneficiaries received transportation, family accommodations and post-surgical examinations free of charge. Above all, dozens of young people were given a rare opportunity to eradicate the discomfort and stigma of their birth defects.

Colombia

March 2009,
Tumaco

The return medical team consisted of ENT, ophthalmologists, Plastics, pediatrics & an internist, 2 nurse specialists. Also returning were student volunteers who served as interpreters during patient screening.

FedEx was a huge donor and transported invaluable equipment from various locations in the U.S. to Colombia. Alcon, Zeiss, and Medline donated essential supplies & equipment.

In 10 days, 1,000 patients were screened, and 231 surgical procedures performed:

Ophthalmology 173
ENT 30
Plastic Surgery 28
Primary care was given to 200 patients

PCCHF referred 61 patients to the USNS Comfort, a hospital ship with a four-month deployment to South America bringing medical teams to provide a range of health care services ashore.

While this mission changed the lives of the patients treated, and sparked infinite gratitude from the community, it also restored optimism and faith in the nurses and doctors of Hospital San Andres. Most of them had never seen doctors from other countries, and never heard anyone speak English. The hospital nursing staff was extremely pleased for this unique professional and cultural experience.

The members of the US mission team include:
Dr David Bianchi (ENT surgeon)
Dr William Chester (Anesthesiologist, founder)
Dr Alberto Martinez (Ophthalmologist)
Dr Carol Plotsky (Pediatrician)
Dr John Plotsky (Internal medicine)
Dr Kamran Shayesteh (Plastic surgeon)
Dr Samuel Stolery (Ophthalmologist)
Brigitte Smith (Head Nurse, Mission Coordinator)
Sue Cook (Nurse)
Ben Plotsky (Student/Volunteer)
Deborah Plotsky (Student/Volunteer)
Alina Chester (Student/Volunteer)

September 2008,
Tumaco

Dr. Gustavo Cifuentes, a volunteer from our June Ecuador mission, facilitated this advance mission to assess an ongoing program in Tumaco. His colleague Dr. Claudia Komaromy is one of the three anesthesiologists in the community’s sole hospital, which has not had a significant North American mission in 20 years.

The advance team included Dr. Chester, Dr. Martinez (a key advance player in our Kenya programs) and nurse Brigitte Smith, who has sourced an extraordinary inventory of donated supplies.

The PCCHF team was escorted by military guards on motorcycle at all times. During our medical briefing we met the base physician, who had initiated the prescreening process two weeks prior to our arrival. He listed 168 patients of all ages who are likely surgical candidates. The physicians in attendance believe this is the tip of the iceberg, and that all specialties, including pediatrics and internal medicine, will offer their service in a future mission.

There is a new hospital under construction (est. completion 18 months), but the existing facility is very short on almost all materials and supplies (monitors, surgical supplies, drugs, etc). A patient screening was organized at the hospital during which our doctors saw about 100-120 patients, primarily eye cases, burn scars, and congenital orthopedic cases. We also met with and enlisted the support of a local ophthalmologist who agreed to screen pre ops and see our post op patients.

In brief summary, we have an excellent opportunity to make a difference in the quality of life for a significant part of the population in Tumaco. The preliminary mission date will be March 6-15.

Tumaco, has about 150,000 residents. It is an island, connected to the mainland and another island by bridges. There is an active Colombian military and American anti drug presence (coca plant spraying).

Haiti

January 2010

Haiti experienced an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude, the worst in 2 centuries, leaving its people in total devastation. The global community immediately began relief efforts - sending rescue & medical teams by plane and sea.

PCCHF collaborated closely with Partners in Health, The Community Coalition for Haiti, NGO liaison for the USNS Comfort and Operation Smile bringing much needed vital medical assistance as quickly and effectively as possible.

On January 21st, a team of doctors and nurses led by Dr Jean-Max Hogarth an anesthesiologist with First Colonies Anesthesia based in Maryland and Nurse Brigitte Smith RN, CNOR of the Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in South Carolina, supported by PCCHF logistics and clinical team members, along with 80 boxes of medical supplies were airlifted by the Coast Guard arrived in Port au Prince, and then onto Pignon, Haiti.

The base of operation was ” The Hospital de Bienfaisance “, undamaged by the earthquake and equipped with 2 functioning operating rooms.

Dr. Hogarth was the first medical team to set up, arriving to an overcrowded inpatient ward filled with the injured from Port au Prince and their homeless families. Operating 10 -16 hour a day, through the night into daybreak the team treated many open fractures, hand, arm, foot amputations, crushed extremities, infected and gangrenous traumatic wounds.

30 difficult cases.