We are a surgical mission team that will travel to Babati, Tanzania to provide surgical care to patients who do not have access to care.
Patients who need surgical care in general surgery, ent or gynecology. This population in Babati lacks access to free surgeries and often cannot afford the life changing operations that will allow them to work or do their daily activities of living
We expect to impact approximately 100 patients. We will plan to work with their local physicians to share knowledge so they are able to carry out some of these operations on their own as well as provide follow up through additional teams to care for future patients.
I was so fortunate to be able to provide anesthesia to dozens of adults and children who got surgeries like: release of burn scars that prevented a 50 year old woman from lifting her face from her chest wall, (a very difficult way to go through life); children with cleft lips and palates that made suckling and normal speech development almost impossible; thyroids that grew too large while trying to produce the normal hormones necessary for life but restricting eating and potentially breathing; hernias that didn’t allow otherwise strong, healthy men from being able to make a living; debilitating gynecological conditions for young women; as well as many other maladies that adversely impacted the everyday lives of the people in and around Babati. I have done six previous surgical type missions with other organizations but have never been more proud than I am to be a part of Operation International’s Team Chicago. This was my second trip with them and have never known a more resourceful, adaptable, and hard working group of doctors and nurses. One surgeon who couldn’t stay but a few days, worked tirelessly to do all the procedures he could in the three days he could give us. I don’t live in Chicago so I’m not involved directly with incredible fund raising they do. But they, in addition to working full time, raising families and living life, raise funds throughout the year in order to take a week of vacation, travel thousands of miles and work 10-12 hour days in order to help those unable to access surgery for problems that directly affect their lives and those around them. It’s the most fulfilling and rewarding thing I’ve ever done in the 50 years I’ve been a nurse and 31 years as a Nurse Anesthetist. I’m so blessed to be a part of this and Doximity’s support has made that possible. Thank you so very much.
