I am a gynecologist and plan to do open hysterectomies, free of charge, for women in Kenya. There will be a team of gynecologists, nurses, anesthesiologists, OR technicians and other assistants. Laparoscopy is not an option due to the resources available in the town we will be operating in. We will see patients in a clinic setting on Sunday and possibly perform a few surgeries. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, we will operate for ~ 12 hours each day. Friday we will make rounds.
The women of the Kakamega region which is a few hours from Nairobi. Many women in Africa are burdened by fibroids. We have chosen this particular region because the leader of the mission is from the city we will stay and serve in. He has lead other missions to this city and the infrastructure for running medical missions is accepted and functions well there.
Improved health due to relief of anemia and pain for many women by removing their uterus. The surgeries are expected to be difficult. We are a skilled team but expect we will learn countless things from our patients and other local people.
I returned recently from Kakamega County in Kenya. I was part of a gynecology surgical mission to help the woman whose lives are burned by tremendous bleeding & anemia, secondary to uterine fibroids. The people we helped had generally not had access to Care and their fibroids had grown to enormous sizes. Most women had to be transfused before we could even operate on them. In addition to performing surgeries, we work side-by-side with two local, Kenyan OB/GYN’s to help improve their surgical skills for these difficult surgeries and introduce laparoscopy for the first time to their hospital. There were joyous moments after doing simple surgeries with their basic equipment (after finally getting it to work.)
Our days were long, hot and exhausting. As you see, we had to wear headlamps because of the frequent power outages. I don’t think I’ve had a week that was as exhilarating and meaningful prior to this in my lifetime. I’m so thankful for this experience to lend my skills to the women of Kenya.
Thank you so much, Doximity, for helping me make this trip possible.
I hope to return!
Shannon Tilly
Ob/gyn Salt Lake City
