I will be traveling with Internatinal Medical Relief to their first every missions trip to Cappadocia, Turkey. This was formed during their missions help with the Turkey Earthquake this past year. During September migrant farm workers arrive to farm potatoes and grapes which is a popular and an important harvest for Turkey. Workers and their families often experience challenges while moving around the country as they have limited to no access to health care services and there are concerns related to hygiene conditions at the farms.
I along, with other healthcare providers, will provide any healthcare needed. Some of the more common diseases in this area include skin disease and disorders, GI issues, dehydration, dental caries and infections, and pain. Dermatologists, dentist, family medicine providers, emergency medicine providers, optometrists, and OB/GYN specialists will be in high demand.
Migrant farming populations experience serious health problems including diabetes, malnutrition, depression, substance use, infectious diseases, pesticide poisoning, and injuries from work-related machinery. These critical health issues are exacerbated by the migratory culture of this population group, which increases isolation and makes it difficult to develop a relationship with a healthcare provider, maintain treatment regimens, and track health records.
Migratory and seasonal agricultural workers and their families face unique health challenges which result in significant health disparities. Challenges faced can include: hazardous work environment, poverty and insufficient support system, inadequate or unsafe housing, limited availability of clean water and septic systems, inadequate healthcare access, continuity of care issues, lack of insurance, cultural and language barriers, fear of using healthcare due to immigration status, and lack of transportation.
This will impact the workers and their families to ensure proper healthcare while working in harsh conditions. This will allow many who have never been able to receive healthcare and to hopefully improve the lives so they can continue to provide for their families.
Since this is a new missions for this particular area I hope this will allow for further missions for years to come, maybe even provide a more permanent healthcare facility for Cappadocia. As for the personal side I would feel that helping those without access or in need is the reason why we do medicine. This is my passions and the WHY I decided to practice medicine.
Vulnerable population around the Cappadocia region of Turkey. Children, women and their families. Mostly URI, GI and a lot of skin burns and rashes. There were a few pregnant women who had minimal health care. They experienced listening to their baby’s heartbeat for the first time after several children. Watching their faces light up was one the most rememberable experiences I’ll cherish forever. We handed out sunglasses to protect their eyes when working as well as reading glasses. They were so thankful to be able to read again. The outpouring of welcoming and gratitude was felt and it was hard to leave daily knowing how much you impacted their life….even though it was just a small amount of time.
