Tonight at dinner, Brenda Mensah shared the story of her first trip to Yaara village to meet her in-laws. It was one of the hardest days of her life. The trip from Carpenter to Yaara took their young family six hours on treacherous paths and across rivers with no bridges. It was there that she met a very, very sick man who was burning up with fever. She knew there was no way he could survive the journey out of this remote village to receive medical care. The helplessness the Mensahs felt prompted them to begin to dream and pray that perhaps someday, one doctor or one nurse might partner with them to bring health care to places like Yaara.
Over the past two days, our mobile team brought health care to over 1,000 patients in the very village of Yaara. Today’s clinic began with a triage nurse shouting for a doctor to help a sick child who had been bitten by a cobra. Dr. Helen was available and she and our nursing team spent a number of hours caring for this child. It turns out, she was sick from pneumonia, not the cobra, but our pharmacy was prepared with anti snake venom in their battery operated cooler just in case.
Speaking of pharmacy, our pharmacy program is truly a wonder. Don’t get me wrong, we all work extremely hard, but our pharmacists carry the heaviest load. They spend an entire year organizing every medication we might need for the medical, dental and eye team. They also help procure for our surgical and anaesthetic colleagues. Medications for chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension are strategically chosen to match what is available in Ghana so that patients can renew their medicines locally. Dosages and length of treatment are all decided based on WHO standards. They receive every prescription the physicians write into their automated system, put up with our handwriting, dispense it, double check it and then counsel the patients on how to properly take it. Then, when the day is done and we are all playing euchre and games in the residence, they are preparing medications for the next day. I don’t know how Linda, Sherry, Martha, Lisa, Karen and Kirlis, together with NEA’s pharmacy graduate Emmanuel do it, but our pharmacy program is instrumental to the care we provide and to the success of our mission. They are super-heroes.
Speaking of medications, we have started a new club on the compound called the “Cipro Club”. This is the medicine you take for travellers diarrhea and, yes indeed, it seems to be “running” through our ranks. Thankfully, it is short lived and we all get great care from Dr. John, our team doctor.
Back on the compound, 34 operations took place and we are thankful that there were no complications, adverse events, fires or floods. Dr. David Cressey remarked at what a tightly knit group they are after only working together for three days. It was interesting to note that we saw very few large hernias in Yaara over these two days, as over the past 10 years, our surgical program has come close to eradicating them. Our emergency patient from yesterday underwent a successful surgery today and will be heading back to his village tomorrow.
Dr. Josh and Marion had the laser up and running today with Dr. Martin supervising and it seems that word has spread even to Accra that NEA is providing this service to treat glaucoma. Despite Ghana having one of the highest rates of glaucoma in the world, NEA is the only organization with this laser. What an exciting service that the Leyaata Hospital will be able to provide for the entire country in the near future and discussions and planning are underway.
All in all it was another rich and rewarding day and just so special for us to hear that we are part of a dream coming true and a prayer being answered for the Mensahs, NEA and this land.
Dr. Jennifer Wilson, MD, CCFP(EM), FCFP, DIMPH
Doneath says
This week your team continues to amaze me with all the wonderful work and labour of love that you are all performing. There is a special place in heaven for you all.
Toni-ann, I miss you every second of the day but know that you are needed where you are and also how important your faith is to you. It was -20 and lots of snow earlier this week, its still very cold here. Therefore keep this in mind and enjoy the sunshine and its warmth as you give back to Him who has given you everything. Love you- Mom
Ruth Oppenheim says
What an amazing, inspirational team you all are! Thrilled to see a close up of my beloved sister Leslie working her medical magic as always.
Hugs and kisses to Tookie ( her nickname, don’t ask me why!)
and warm loving thoughts to the whole team!
Don Bailkowski says
Thanks to Jennifer for putting together a very detailed news letter with so many photos on a daily basis. It is hard to fathom how she has the time or energy after a long day attending to patients. I very much enjoyed the comments about the Pharmacy team and the recognition of their extensive time commitment over the past year. They are all super heroes under Sherry’s leadership! Keep up the great work and enjoy your time off on rest days!!
Love from Don and Riley. We miss you Martha.
Susan Holladay says
It is lovely to get updates on all of your hard work! We were sorry you missed our 5-ender on Wednesday Linda – we miss you!
Veronica says
It’s great to read your daily updates of the amazing work you are all doing. We take for granted that the medication we need will be readily available and it’s hard to imagine how difficult it must be not to have that access. Well done all of you.
Judith and Ron Gooding says
It is exciting and interesting to read the updates each day! I pray that each of you have restful sleeps. I know God will keep His promises of renewed strength and faithfulness each morning.
Jennifer says
Way to go Martha the super-hero!
Love
Jennifer, Christopher & Spyro
Faith Atkinson says
So proud of everything you’re doing there, looks like an amazing feat all coming together again. Really enjoying all the updates and photos here in rainy England! Hope everything keeps going great and of course a shout out to Dr Simon and Dr Dan! Xx
John Evans says
God bless you Dan and Barb for your helping with people’s eyesight. Nicki has some glaucoma and is getting follow-up testing today.
LOL
Cousin John
Calgary
Jean Fairbrother says
What a fantastic work you are all doing. I am immensely proud and full of admiration for each and every one of you! You certainly are all superheros. Well done and God bless all of you.
Ann Crabbe says
You folks are absolutely remarkable, I know three of you, my cousin Leslie, and good friends Barb and Dan and admire you all so much. Keep up the wonderful work you are doing and God Bless all of you.
Karen grinter says
Please give big hugs to Rob and Jo and Neil and we hope the pants are well received!!! from everyone at Northants Pilates
Elise De Francesco says
It is so inspiring to read about all the great work that you are doing. Sending a special hello to the pharmacy superheroes in Ghana!
Erika Smith says
It is amazing to read about the care you are able to provide to patients in their remote villages. I can’t help but think that you are all superhero’s to these patients and to your patients and loved ones back home! I am especially proud of my brother, Dr. Josh and the treatments he is able to help you provide to those who are suffering from glaucoma. Our grandmother had glaucoma from diabetes and it warms my heart that Dr. Josh and your team are able to provide care to many patients like our grandmother. Keep up the amazing work! We miss and love you Dr. Josh and are so incredibly proud!
Gary and Elenor Paisley says
We have been following the work from it’s beginnings – a bit hard not to with Gary being Brenda’s brother – and have met and come to sincerely appreciate others on the team along the way. We have been to Yaara with David and Brenda, and it is absolutely incredible to see this dream now being fulfilled. You are in our prayers daily. May God richly bless you, each and every one.
Brian Feddery says
This is my fifth year of reading these blogs, following my incredible wife, Leslie, doing what she loves doing best, caring and helping others. All of you are truly amazing. It is remarkable how so few can help so many, and are so appreciated for what you all are doing. Hugs and kisses to Leslie.
Tom and Julie Eustace says
Sounds like a well oiled machine. Well done on getting quickly established and set for another banner year.
Great to see our talented Nurse Leslie doing what she does best.
You go girl!!!
Jennifer Simpson says
“Keep your face always towards the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you” Walt Whitman
I think this speaks to the transformation that is happening because of the amazing work and dedication of the team. The shadows that plagued Yarra and other villages in Ghana are slowly becoming a thing of the past. Thank you for bringing the sunshine!
A special shout out to Francois for putting up with my husband and to Cheryl and Karin for representing Muskoka and just being awesome and I suppose also putting up with John!
Donna McKenney says
How awesome it has been to follow the progression of events since David and Brenda had their first vision of a health practitioner coming to their remote area. Thank you Dr Jen for your faithful updates. May God continue to protect the whole team.
Pauline Pankewich says
You are all such an inspiration and gift from God to the Ghanians
Go team!
Estelle says
What a WONDERFUL group you all are! Brings tears to my eyes ! You certainly are a God sent to all these people. Be safe in all your travels.
Estelle & Dan
Diana M says
What wonderful pictures! and the Pharmacy team looks amazing! All the residents at Shepherd Village come into the pharmacy and ask about how everyone is doing in Ghana and they are always very happy and excited to see pictures, especially when we get to see our pharmacist Martha 🙂 Everyone is doing such amazing jobs each and every single day. We really thoroughly enjoy reading all the blogs and seeing everyone stay safe. From all Staff and Residents at Shepherd Village we send lots hellos and hugs.
Stay Cool!
Garrett Bent says
Awesome to hear how well things are going and the great care each of you is bringing to the people of Ghana! Shout out to the dental team, I wish I could be there with you guys. I am currently going through the exam grind.
God bless
Nicki Brazier-Hagarty says
Keep up the great work. We love reading the updates here where winter is setting in.
Much love to Dan and Barb?
Nick Brazier-Hagarty
Sue Doubtfire says
Glad to see that your team is doing great work for the people who need the help. Keep up the great work and stay safe.