The Mercy Ship, the Africa Mercy arrived in Monrovia on February 6th, 2008. During the ten months of field service, the Mercy Ships offered free specialised curative surgeries, healthcare infrastructure development assistance, and community based preventive healthcare programs benefiting thousands of individuals and many communities in Liberia.
CURATIVE SURGICAL INTERVENTION
Mercy Vision (Ophthalmic Surgery)
1,659 eye surgeries performed
By utilizing our Field Eye Team's weekly visit to 4 locations - Redemption Hospital during the first half and then Faith Healing Temple of Jesus Christ, Tubman Memorial United Methodist Church on Duport Road, New Georgia United Methodist and Gracie A. Reeves Baptist Medical Centre in Gaye Town 17,610 patients received diagnosis and management of eye disease including surgical referrals. 1,638 accepted patients received 1,659 eye surgical procedures. Eight local eye health workers were trained to perform eye examinations and visual acuity. Two local surgeons received additional ophthalmic training. A partnership was established with SDA Cooper Clinic who provided services at reduced costs.Outlook of Hope (Reconstructive Surgery)
1,434 maxillofacial, plastic and general surgeries provided
Before & After shots of Abel
Relationships established from earlier field services helped with referrals of up-country patients from Harper, Zwedru, Lofa County, and Gbanga. In addition to the one day mass screening on February 18th in Monrovia at the SKD Sports Complex, our teams screened at other up-countrylocations. Over the ten months, volunteer surgeons performed 1,434 surgeries, including 122 cleft lip and/or palate repairs and 251 hernia repairs for 1,204 patients. Mercy Ships doctors also held a two day conference on anaesthesia at JFK Medical Centre.
Hope Reborn (Vesico-Vaginal Fistual (VVF) Surgery)
81 VVF/RVF surgeries provided for 63 patients plust training
An estimated two million women worldwide suffer incontinence due to vesico-vaginal fistulas (VVF) resulting from child birth injuries. Sixty three women received free fistula repair surgeries during the Liberia 2008 field service. All patients received a voucher for a free C-Section at ELWA Hospital for future pregnancy. In addition, 3 obstetric nurses from Phebe Hospital were trained for 2 weeks in VVF care. Four VVF surgeons were trained in VVF Surgery techniques.
Orthopaedic Surgery
198 orthopaedic surgeries provided for 159 patients
Health care professionals cared for 159 patients. Thirty nine patients had additional procedures. This project provided corrective surgical interventions which were focussed on neglected or mismanaged orthopaedic trauma, childhook musculoskeletal conditions like club feet, and some joint disease. The orthopaedic surgeries were performed by several different orthopaedic surgeons over a fourteen week period consisting of eight weeks of pediatric surgeries and six weeks of adult surgeries. To help with the pediatric conditions, the teams focus was on club feet (either surgery or casting) and tendon releases, including patients who have polio contractures. To address the high rate of road traffic and neglected war injuries, the team performed surgeries on chronic injuries, such as non-unions or fractures that have healed improperly. Handicapped International has provided orthotics and will continue to provide additional ones as needed.Liberia Smiles (Dental Clinic)
11,081 procedures were performed for 4,994 patients
The Dental Team established a clinic in Redemption Hospital in New Kru Town. A total of 4,994 patients received treatments plus 717 patients received dental prophylaxis. 4,839 clients while in the waiting room + 663 students received lessons in oral health. Fifteen teachers received information in Dental Health Education. Three Liberians were trained as Dental Assistants/ Sterilizers during the entire field service. The Dental Team also went to Monrovia Central Prison and treated prisoners and staff for 2 days.
Palliative Care
33 patients have been regularly visited by our Palliative Care Team (inc. Brenda) plus follow up with patients from '07
The issue of death is not one that most Africans regularly talk about. Those who have sought our assistance and yet we are not able to assist surgically, we have referred them to our Palliative Care Team. The team made regular visits to the homes of the patients in and around Greater Monrovia. The team taught basic health care to all their patients and families and for the five patients requiring wound care, they provided appropriate training. In cooperation with our Mental Health Team and at their conferences, the team shared on compassionate care for the dying.Counselors
Counselors available to our patients 24/7
Counselors provided prayer, counsel and comfort to thousands of our patients, those in the wards on the ship, at the dental clinic & field eye clinics and for the pre and post operative patients on the dockside. Weekly Sunday morning services were held for the patients on the wards along with Bible studies. They provided our patients with spiritual and emotional support.
HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
Tenegar Medical Clinic Restoration Project
380m2 buildings completed
At the request of the President of Liberia, Mercy Ships construction supervisors lead local residents in the restoration of one building and the construction of the actual clinic building on the original footprint. In addition, Mercy Ships partnered with Living Water International for a deep water well. Her Excellency Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf came to the community for the official dedication on November 21st. The Ministry of Health & Social Welfare will be staffing and operating this medical clinic.Tide of Mercy (HIV/AIDS Training)
74 trained in HIV/AIDS
Using a three phase approach, 74 participants from 13 churches in Caldwell, Coffee Farm and Duport Road areas in Montserrado County underwent intensive training over 6 days - averaging 35 hours/participants. Newly trained members are now at work in their communities. As churches were trained together, our hope is that they continue to work together in conducting ongoing HIV/AIDS awareness, training and care. Four hundred and thirty one individuals attended 2 three day conferences on HIV/AIDS in Buchanan in April and in Kakata in June.
Restoring Hope to Survivors (Menatal Illness & Trauma)
102 church leaders, 50 healthcare workers representing all 15 counties, and 60 healthcare workers received training in mental health
At the request of the Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Liberia, Mercy Ships recruited highly skilled personnel who trained church leaders and health care workers through regular on site visits, lectures and multiple day conferences on issues of mental illness and trauma. Follow up was conducted by one of our counselors during the later stages of the field service. Over 144 church leaders and healthcare workers participated in our mental health workshop in Voijama, the sixth largest city in the nation.
Biomedical Technician Training
6 received intensive biomedical training
Six persons from five hospitals in Liberia received intensive training in biomedical skills. The project had four phases - Assessment, Training, On-Site Training at local Hospitals & Awareness Workshops. Besides electricity, electronics and medical equipment, basics of information technology were also added to the curriculum, including computer classes, internet searches for manuals and spare parts, plus about text editors and data tables. Each participant helped to repair and order spare parts for the machines in their hospital. Besides maintenance and repair, installation of new devices was also experienced. The Awareness Workshops were for university students to raise their awareness and to promote biomedical technology as a career choice.
COMMUNITY BASED PREVENTIVE HEALTHCARE
Strategic Health Initiatives (Community Health Education)
108 received training in community health issues
Community health volunteers from the Tenegar area, Royesville and Northern Royesville were trained in ways to prevent the most common illnesses in Liberia. Strategic Health Initiative places a strong emphasis on clean drinking water, adequate sanitation, treating diarrhea, basic hygiene, exclusive breastfeeding and nutrition, maternal health and malaria prevention. Teaching also included the root cause of malaria and the value of using insecticide-treated mosquito netting. Participants were given the task to teach these topics in their own communities.
Food for Life (Agriculture Training)
163 Farmers trained in organic agriculture practices
Participants were trained in organic agriculture principals with a strong Biblical World View in the communities of Tenegar, Royesville & Northern Royesville. Participants were taught basic agricultural knowledge and practical techniques. In Royesville, Mercy Ships has introduced the growing of new and different crops into the garden, including cabbage, okra and the Moringa tree. In addition, two community gardens were established by the community. In Tenegar, Mercy Ships came along an existing agricultural cooperative and provided further training in organic principles. Follow up was done more extensively in the Cheesmanburg area, site of our '07 activity.Water for Life
8 new hand dug wells completed, 10 wells rehabilitated and 90 household latrines built in conjunction with the villagers.
The water and sanitation project provided safe drinking water and sanitary facilities for the communities of Tenegar and Royesville. Mercy Ships used local technicians who we trained in '05 & '06. Participants from the villages in the area were trained in the efficient construction and maintenance of latrines and wells. Renovations were also done to the toilet block for the school in Tenegar.Mercy Ministries
Over 700 volunteer crew members were involved with 9 projects.
Mercy Ships volunteers often pursued additional ministry opportunities during their off-duty hours, primarily evenings and weekends. During the Liberia field service crew members routinely visited: Missionaries of Charity, Centre for the Aged, Orphaned & Abandoned Children (the orphanage our family was involved with), God's Children Orphanage, Victorious Faith Ministries Refuge Home, Francis Gaskin Refuge Home, Monrovia Central Prison, Mama Cooper's Orphanage and Cheshire Home for the Handicapped. In addition and in partnership with local pastors, the Jesus Film was viewed by thousands of Liberians in English and in local languages.JFK Medical Centre - 3rd Floor
Provided consultation in regards to the renovation of two wards at JFK in partnership with Balcraig Foundation
Mercy Ships monitored progress of the project for the renovation of two wards and served as a link between JFK Medical Centre and Balcraig Foundation.
Trinity Dental Clinic
Provided supervision for the construction of a 125 m2 dental clinic connected with ELWA Hospital.
Mercy Ships provided site management for the construction of an addition to ELWA Hospital for a Dental Clinic. The clinic will be used to provide dental services and be a training facility for local dental professionals.
Administrative Training with Ministry of Health & Social Welfare
6 participants received administrative training
Mercy Ships were approached by the Ministry of Health & Social Welfare in Monrovia, Liberia with a request for training of Administrative staff employed at the Ministry. The program was designed with three very specific goals and objectives in mind: To provide opportunity for participants to improve their skills and gain new skills, To provide the participants with an opportunity to personally develop themselves (character, attitudes, confidence), To provide the participants with the ability to become "change agents" and to use what they had learned to train others within their departments and the Ministry as a whole.
Church Leader's Conferences
750 church leaders attend Unity & Partnership in Ministry conferences
The Church Empowerment Team held two 3 day conferences on the subject of "Unity & Patnership in Ministry". The events were planned and executed in conjunction with steering committees of local church leaders in both Ganta and Tubmanburg.
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