During the July Open-Heart Mission, I will serve as the lead anesthesiologist as we perform life-saving adult cardiac procedures. We plan to perform 20 cases, ranging from aortic replacement to tricuspid repairs and coronary artery bypass grafting cases. In Nigeria, the demand for cardiac care is great but the access to care is extremely low. Patients not only face financial barriers to expensive procedures, but are also unable to access high-quality, safe surgery. We hope to bridge this gap in care while also training and raising the standards of care in the country.
The mission of VOOM Foundation is to provide sustainable, high-quality care to underserved populations. In Nigeria, we will provide free open-heart surgeries to indigent patients. Cardiac surgery in Nigeria is often $15K to $20K dollars, and with more than 50% of the population living on less than $400 year, this high cost makes surgery inaccessible. We partner with hospitals across the country that refer patients in need to our mission, giving individuals and families all across the country the chance at a second life.
While we perform the surgeries and care for post-operative patients in the ICU, VOOM medical professionals will be providing around-the-clock hands-on training and education to the local Nigerian surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, and nurses. By going on this additional mission in July, we will be able to increase the frequency of their training and further build the hospital's capacity to provide sustainable, independent care without the necessity for outside traveling teams.
This VOOM mission was particularly special because it marked the beginning of one additional annual trip to Nigeria. Nigeria is a country of nearly 300,000,000 people and yet the number of Cardiac Surgeon St. Joe’s is less than that which is found in many major university Medical Center in America. Every time I have participated in this mission, I have left more inspired by the resiliency and gratitude of the Nigerian people for what we bring. These patients are an extremist and boom foundation. In many cases represents their last hope for a meaningful life. The age ranges of the patients that I cared for as part of this adult mission arranged from 13 to 68 years old. We had excellent patient outcomes for each of the patients we cared for on the mission. The first 3 to 5 days postoperatively can be daunting, especially in this environment. However, to see these patients a week later, a month later, a year later is nothing short of inspirational. To see them smiling and walking the hallways, or going about life back in their villages or cities is truly heartwarming. Many of the patients who have been touched by the VOOM foundation return to the hospital on their own accord to say, “thank you for another chance at life.” It’s this feeling of gratitude that keeps me returning as a volunteer. In addition to providing surgical care, one other major mission of the organization is teaching and training local doctors, nurses and technicians in the care of cardiovascular surgical patients. I am convinced that through the work of the foundation, we will make a positive impact on the state of cardiovascular surgery for the Nigerian people. As evidence for this, we see many of the same nurses, doctors amd medical personnel on subsequent missions. They too are working with us side-by-side as part of their training and in the deliver of the best care possible!
VOOM Foundation for LIFE….!
